Joe Pistacchio had a career day, as he pitched a 5 inning, 2 hit, 10 strikeout, shutout of Middle Creek tonight. That is in addition to his 3 hit (single and 2 doubles), 2 RBI, 4 runs scored (Grudee pinch running for all) batting performance. Certainly the best "overall" performance by a Falcon this year.

Green Hope's new look - WARNING these images are "graphic" in nature

Tonight's game was a reversal for both teams, Middle Creek is having a great season and has given conference leading Holly Springs their only conference losses, while Green Hope is below .500 having just been blown out by Athens Drive 14-0 less than a week ago.

But tonight, a different looking (literally) Green Hope team showed up. I don't know if hair styling affects performance, but many Falcon players who have been struggling this year found new life with a new "dew". Anyway, nobody cares if they put watermellons on their heads, if they can start hitting as a team as they did tonight. I also think coach Weiss helped by keeping the team focused on offense even when the game seemed to be in hand.

Yoder's double (left) drives in Shambley (right) for the first run of the game

Green Hope broke the game open in the top of the first, Grant Shambley walked with 1 out, followed by Will Yoder's double to drive in Shambley. Pistacchio singled to left moving Yoder to 3rd, and Wesley Clark singled to the same spot scoring Yoder, with Grudee to 3rd. David Josam then hit a high fly to dead center which dropped at the fence, but Josam almost ran over Clark at second as Wesley was holding to see if the ball was caught or not. Luckily Josam saw Clark an instant before he was about to blow past him, Josam stopping at 2nd, Clark to 3rd, and Grudee scoring. Zach Munz kept things going with another single to left, scoring both runners, and got to second when the left fielder misplayed the ball. Munz went to third on a ground out and then scored on a wild pitch. Green Hope up 6-0 after 1 inning.

Josam's double scores 1, but he almost passes Clark which would have been an out and a momentum killer

Green Hope added 3 more runs in the second inning. Shambley ledoff the inning reaching on an error, following by a strikeout, Pistacchio then ripped one to right center scoring Shambley with Pistacchio tripping after passing second and having to settle for a double. Clark walked, then Grudee and Clark executed a double steal to put them on 2nd and 3rd, and both scored on Munz's triple. Green Hope up 9-0 after 2 innings.

Munz scores on wild pitch - Zach had 4 RBIs in the first 2 innings with a single and triple both scoring 2

Green Hope kept going, adding another run in the third, Shambley worked a 2 out walk, Yoder singled, and Pistacchio doubled to drive in Shambley. Green Hope 10-0 after 3 innings.

Pistacchio's performance tonight - Pitching (A++) - Hitting (A) - base running (??? )

Shambley scores on Yoder's sac fly

The 5th inning saw Green Hope add 2 more runs, Shambley ledoff with a single past 3rd and reached 2nd when the left fielder bobbled the ball. A wild pitch put Shambley on 3rd, and Yoder's sacrifice fly scored Shambley. That was followed by Pistacchio's high fly to left which was dropped putting him on second. A walk to Clark was followed by Josam's single to drive in the final run, Green Hope winning 12-0.

Pistacchio (4-1) gets the complete game win and Green Hope can move into 5th in the conference (and a playoff spot) with a win Friday at home against Lee County.

It will be interesting to see which Green Hope team shows up for that big game, everyone is hoping it will be tonight's team and not last week's team.