By Tray Mason
Correspondent

A strong defense, a shutout pitching performance, and a few timely hits were enough to fuel Nansemond-Suffolk Academy to a 5-0 win over Nandua High School at home on Tuesday.

Saints pitcher Taylor Edens went a complete seven innings, firing 11 strikeouts and allowing just three hits on 72 pitches.

“I pitched well and felt good,” Edens said. “We got a few clutch hits, and a few balls that went our way.”

Jake Grady and Anthony Waldner each scored in the first inning to give the Saints an early 2-0 lead, but NSA would struggle to conjure any offense after that.

Their defense and the reliable arm of Edens kept the opposing Warriors at bay until the sixth inning, when two more runs would give the Saints a healthy enough lead to relax.

After leaving the bases loaded in the fourth inning and recording no hits in the fifth, Waldner, who finished 2-for-4 in the game, led off the sixth inning with a triple to right field.

He would score on a wild pitch in the following at-bat. Will Deluca would drop a ball into shallow centerfield, scoring Jacob Laine from second base. Laine also had three stolen bases.

The Saints’ defense committed just one error in the game. Infrequent errors have been a key to the team’s success the season. The Saints are now 6-0 when they have recorded no more than two errors in a game.

“Our defense stood out today,” NSA head coach Kevin Mitchell said. “When we pitch well and play defense, we’re a pretty good team.”

It was the Saints’ second win in as many days, following a 5-3 win versus Hampton Christian on Monday. They’ve have responded well after a 6-0 loss to Grenbriar Christian, just their second losing effort of the season.

They will be in action again on Friday, at home versus Portsmouth Christian.