TOM OWENS The youthful Gaffney baseball team isn’t playing like a team with little experience.

Jordan Propst tossed a complete-game three hitter and first-year starter John Michaels singled and doubled to lead the Indians to a 5-3 win over visiting Byrnes on Friday.

The Indians improve to 5-0.

Propst, who struck out 12, had a no-hitter into the fifth inning.

“He struggled a little bit at times, but this should be a real good confidence builder for him,” Gaffney coach Tom Owens said. “He still needs to get a little better control of his curveball.”

The Rebels scored three runs in the fifth to tie the game at 3. But the Indians answered in the bottom of the fifth when Justin Sarratt had a one-out single.

Another first-year starter, Jake Watson, followed with a single before Michaels beat out an infield hit to give the Indians a 4-3 lead.

Stephen Kaemmerlen followed with an RBI single for a 2-run cushion.

The Indians jumped to a 2-0 lead in the second. Michaels had a double and scored on Propst’s single. After Dylan Jolley was hit by a pitch, Justin Wilkins added a RBI single.

The Indians added a solo run in the third when Watson singled and scored on an error.

Starting second baseman McRae Norton missed the game with an illness. His replacement, Shane Mills, played well.

“He did a good job defensively,” Owens said.

Owens also praised Michaels and Watson as well as his other newcomers.

“They’re not scared of anybody,” he said. “They go to the plate to put the ball in play.”

Gaffney opens region play Tuesday at York.