Man's Messer tosses no-hitter in mercy rule win over Tug Valley

Bill Lusk | WVOW Sports

MAN   Braxton Messer threw his first no-hitter of the season as Class A No. 1 Man defeated Tug Valley 10-0 in five innings Tuesday evening at William "Tootie" Carter Field.

Messer was unhittable on the mound, striking out 10, including eight of the first nine hitters and was perfect through three innings.

For Messer, it was his second career no-hitter and first for Man since Messer no-hit Tug Valley on April 24, 2023.

Messer also helped his own cause at the plate going 2-for-3 with four RBI. Cody Walls was 1-for-2 and drove in three runs and Landon Cantrell was 2-for-2 with two RBI.

Man scored all of its runs in the first three innings, plating two in the first, five in the second and three in the third.

Dawson Richardson reached on an error leading off the fourth inning to break up Messer's bid for a perfect game. Two other Panthers reached base, Gage Whitt, who was hit by the pitch, and Gavin Fitzpatrick, who reached on an error with one out in the fifth inning.

Messer struck out Austin Smith for his 10th and final strikeout to complete the no-hitter.

Smith allowed seven runs on seven hits with one strikeout for the Panthers (1-6) in 1 1/3 innings. Elijah Fluty tossed 2 2/3 innings of relief and allowed three runs on three hits, four strikeouts and three walks.

Cam Gerace had one hit and drove in one run, Gavyn Cline one hit to go along with two runs scored, and Brayden Compton, Hayden Fraley, and Noah Frazier each had one hit for the Hillbillies (7-2) while Gavin Bartram scored three runs.