Sports

SULPHUR - Isaac Russell did not let the idea of pitching in his first-ever semifinal state championship game bother him. He was as cool as a cucumber for seven innings on Wednesday night.
Russell was the winning pitcher in the 6-1 win over Pearl River Rebels in the semifinals.
He faced 30 batters and threw 106 strikes and 30 balls. 
Russell struck out four, allowed five hits, and scored not one earned run.  Before the semifinal game, Russell had an impressive 1.48 earned run average (ERA). That ERA is now 1.31.
He now improves to 6-2 on the year. 

SULPHUR — The No. 6 North Vermilion Patriots advanced to the finals of the Division II Non-Select playoffs with a 6-1 semifinal victory over the No. 10 Pearl River Rebels Wednesday night.
“We came out ready to go,” said NV skipper Jeremy Trahan.  Don’t doubt these guys.  If you give them a little opportunity to get something done, they’re going to do it.”
The Patriots (23-13) opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning when Devin Blanchard singled to rightfield, plating Hunter Denais.

North Vermilion’s junior pitcher Isaac Russell has experienced a significant shift in his circumstances.
A year ago, as a sophomore, Russell was the Patriots’ closer.  He pitched in the final one or two innings of a game.
Russell is about to pitch in the biggest game of his young life today. The 17-year-old right-hander is today’s starting pitcher in the Division II Non-Select semifinals.
The Patriots will face the Pearl River Rebels in Sulphur at McMurry Park in Sulphur. Game time is at 5:30 p.m.