What a game for Collyn Ballard.
He belted a grand slam and then a three-run shot to drive in seven runs and lead the North Clay Cardinals to a 10-2 win at home Tuesday over Teutopolis.
North Clay got two hits and a walk to load the bases with two outs in the bottom of the second. Ballard then sent a 3-2 pitch sailing over the leftfield fence to stake the hosts to a 4-0 lead.
The Cardinals led 5-1 when they came to bat in the fifth. After two singles to start the inning, Ballard struck again, blasting the first pitch he saw over the centerfield fence for a three-run homer. Later in the inning, Bryton Griffy added a two-run blast.
Both of the THS runs came via the long ball as well. Sam Bushur went deep in the third and Derek Konkel added a solo shot in the seventh.
Cade Buehnerkemper started for the Shoes. He was touched for three hits and four runs in 1.2 innings of work. Ben Goeckner, Peyton Tegeler, Caleb Siemer and Garrett Gaddis also pitched.
Donnie Zimmerman turned in a complete game for the Cardinals, who improved to 23-3. Zimmerman allowed four hits and two runs, while walking two and striking out seven. He is now 7-0 this spring.
The Shoes dropped to 15-8 on the season. They will play Friday and Saturday at the Tiger Classic in Edwardsville.