Pitch count limit costs Harris shot at complete game in Pittsfield’s shutout of Payson Seymour

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Pitch count was the only thing that prevented Bobby Harris from finishing what he started on Monday.

The Pittsfield junior right-hander tossed 6 ⅔ scoreless innings against Payson Seymour before eclipsing the maximum of 105 pitches as allowed by the IHSA. Harris gave way to Carter Frazier, who allowed a double to Dalton Phillips before striking out Brody Dieker to finish off a 3-0 Saukees victory.

Harris had 101 pitches before Mason Haden struck out on seven pitches for the second out of the top of the seventh. Harris was allowed to finish that at-bat but had to hand the ball over to Frazier to record the final out. Harris struck out six, walked three and gave up three hits.

The Saukees scored all three of their runs in the bottom of the second. Frazier’s sacrifice fly brought in the game’s first run. Two batters later, Luke Saxe doubled to drive in Brian Embree. After a Lane Foster fly out, Tim Hull singled Saxe home for the third run. From that point on, Harris only allowed one hit, and the Indians never had multiple baserunners in any inning.

Pittsfield (11-2) has won three games in a row and five of its last six. The Saukees will travel to Augusta for a date with Southeastern on Tuesday, while the Indians (4-6) will face Southeastern at home in their next game on Wednesday.