Aviators Shut Out Mill Rats To Open Series

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Behind starting pitcher Jackson Dannelley, the Lafayette Aviators earned a 5-0 shutout victory over the Johnstown Mill Rats in Prospect League action on Wednesday night.

Dannelley tossed 7 2⁄3 innings before reaching the pitch count limit. He allowed seven hits, six being singles, and struck out seven, while marking the first shutout loss of the season for Johnstown.

Aviators reliever Conner Fries threw the final 1 1⁄3 innings, giving up one hit and striking out two. Neither pitcher allowed a walk.

Both teams tallied eight hits, but Johnstown was unable to capitalize, leaving nine men on base while going 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position. The Mill Rats had a runner reach third base just once.

Lafayette tallied a run in the top of the first on a Peyton Henry RBI double, and held a 1-0 lead until the seventh inning. The Aviators then tallied one, two and one run, respectively, in the seventh through ninth frames to preserve their victory.

Josh Cottrill took the loss on the mound after throwing 7 1⁄3 innings for the Mill Rats, the longest outing by a Johnstown starter this season. He allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits while walking two and striking out six. Joe Alcorn highlighted the Johnstown offense by going 4-for-4 with a double out of the leadoff spot.

Johnstown (21-29, 9-10) faces Lafayette for Game 2 of the teams' series at 7 p.m. Thursday night at Sargent's Stadium at the Point.