By Kyle LoJacono
Wiregrass Ranch junior pitcher Ryan Girard threw his first career no-hitter in a 6-0 win at Class 7A-District 9 rival Chamberlain April 5.
Girard, a junior, said he felt good going into the contest.
“From the bullpen everything was better than usual,” Girard said. “It just carried over to the game.”
The righty said his fastball and curveball were both on in the contest, and he used the combo to strike out 11 batters.
“I was getting ahead with the fastball and then throwing the curveball to get outs,” Girard said. “The curveball actually felt better than usual. I was commanding it, and they were swinging at it in the dirt, so I guess they were having trouble seeing. I just kept throwing it.”
Only three Chiefs got on base. Girard (3-1, 1.43 ERA) walked one batter in the seventh inning, and the other two reached on strikeouts.
Girard said he was well aware he was throwing a no-hitter.
“I actually knew from the second inning on,” Girard said. “In the dugout I kept the same routine. I put my glove in the same place and wouldn’t drink any water. I didn’t want to do anything to jinx it.”
It’s the second no-hitter for the Bulls (12-6, 5-3) this season following junior Zach Drury’s no-no against Sunlake in the season opener.
Girard said tossing the gem is a “big confidence boost” as the district tournament approaches.
“We’re on a little bit of a winning streak,” Girard said. “We were a little sloppy in the middle of the season, but we’ve been playing together lately and playing a lot better.”
The win puts Wiregrass Ranch into a tie with Gaither for the No. 2 seed in the 7A-9 tournament, which is at Gaither April 22 to 25. The Bulls and Cowboys will play in the district semifinals, with the winner earning a playoff berth.
Wiregrass Ranch played at Anclote April 8, but results were not available by press time. The Bulls travel to Land O’ Lakes April 10 at 7 p.m.
—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker
