Perry Central edges Tell City 9-8 in tight baseball rivalry win

Perry Central did not just win another county baseball game at Tell City. It answered last spring’s 7-1 loss with a 9-8 finish that kept the rivalry tight, gave the Commodores back-to-back victories and nudged their record to 4-1-1.

The one-run margin mattered because both teams are already deep enough into the season for every result to carry weight. Perry Central left Tell City with momentum after its second straight win, while the Marksmen fell to 1-5, stretched their losing streak to five and absorbed a fourth straight home defeat dating back to last season.

Zac Mitchell was the difference maker for Perry Central. The right-hander struck out seven over 5.1 innings, allowed five total runs, four earned, and also helped his own cause at the plate by scoring two runs and stealing a base. Perry Central’s offense got its biggest night from Aiden Duncan, who went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Owen Hubert added another key extra-base hit, collecting his first triple of the season.

Tell City had enough pitching and offense to stay within reach. Drew Greulich struck out seven over four innings and did not allow an earned run, while also going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. His double was his first of the season. Jack Hammond drove in two runs, and Conan Kellems added a run and an RBI as the Marksmen kept pressing in a game that never really loosened its grip.

For Perry Central, the result was the kind of narrow road win that can shape a spring schedule in a hurry. For Tell City, it was another close loss in a rivalry that has swung both ways, but one that showed the Marksmen were still in striking distance. Tell City was scheduled to face Forest Park at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, looking for a way to stop the slide and reset its season.