Cougars, Fusser stop Indians 3-0

Maybe the Gaffney Indians played some other York Cougars in the preseason tournament in February.

The York team the Indians faced Thursday played nothing like the one they defeated 19-2 in the Frank Roach Memorial preseason tournament.

Division I prospect Zac Fusser allowed just two hits as the Cougars beat the visiting Indians, 3-0, in the opening round of the District 3 playoffs.

Gaffney now will meet the loser of the White Knoll/Westside matchup on Saturday. If the Indians travel to Westside, the game will begin at 3 p.m.

Michael Hughey had the only hits for the Indians. The Indians mounted just one threat off Fusser when they had runners on first and second in the fourth inning but couldn't push a run home.

Gaffney starter Bobby Jackson, who gave up eight hits and struck out four in four-plus innings, pitched well to win against most pitchers. But Fusser isn't most pitchers.

The Indians rocked an injured Fusser in the preseason game. This time, Fusser was throwing heat.

"He threw it up there tough," Owens said. "He had a good game. We just couldn't catch up to it. We had some opportunities to get a rally. But he just shut the door."

Tyler Wilson replaced Jackson in the fifth and tossed two scoreless innings of relief.

"Bobby threw well for us," the Gaffney coach said. "York just got some timely hits. Tyler came in and did a good job."

Cameron Culp is expected to get the start when the Indians face elimination on Saturday.

"We just have to rally back and win three games now," Owens said.