COURTLAND
It’s safe to assume that pitcher Wesley Pierce won’t soon forget the first start of his senior season at Southampton High School.

The right-hander tossed a perfect game on Thursday against Lakeland, striking out 12 to lead the Indians past the Cavaliers, 10-0.

“He had excellent command on all of his pitches,” head coach Wes Griffith said. “He was able to throw his curveball for a strike whenever he wanted to. He was efficiently in the zone all day, throwing 51 strikes compared to 16 balls.”

Seemingly like all other bids for perfection, Pierce was backed up by two spectacular plays — a diving catch on a bunt attempt by catcher Braxton Harrup and a long fly-ball rundown by outfielder Blake Rose.

“We all knew it was in the works during the game, [though] it doesn’t become a big deal until about the fourth or fifth inning,” Griffith said. “We were all nervous when he went three [balls and] one [strike] to a batter in the sixth inning. Two big plays kept the perfect game in play.”

The Indians also exploded on offense, tallying 10 runs on 13 hits.

Rose and Carter Johnson had three hits apiece to lead Southampton, who gave Pierce a comfortable 5-0 lead to work with early on.

“We lost on Wednesday, so we needed a big start from Wes on Thursday. He answered the call,” Griffith said. “We know our season is going to depend on the health of our two big arms, Wes and Nash Warren. If they throw well, we are going to be in good shape.”

Southampton has its sights set this season on the TriRivers District and Conference 25 Tournament championships, but Griffith and his ball club have already made history.

It was the first perfect game in the Griffith’s 10-year tenure, and quite possibly school history.

“Everyone was excited after the game,” he said. “That could be a once-in-a-lifetime moment to be a part of.

“I have never been a part of a perfect game, and I have been playing and coaching baseball for a long time.”