Adkins’ big night powers West

IOWA CITY - Iowa City West's Tyus Adkins has dominated from the mound. He has also produced at the plate for the Trojans.

In one impressive performance, Adkins thrived in both aspects for the Trojans.

Adkins threw a no-hitter and hit two home runs with five RBIs, powering fifth-ranked West to a 7-0 victory over North Scott on Saturday night at West. Adkins struck out nine and walked three, while going 3-for-4 with the bat.

'It was a great feeling,” Adkins said. 'I've never really had that feeling before. It's usually one or the other, but (Tuesday) night I was feeling both.”

Charlie Stumpff has coached for 21 years at West and has more than 600 career wins. It was one of the best all-around achievements he has seen.

'It's way up there,” said Stumpff, teasing Adkins by asking him if he had sold his soul like a character in the movie and musical 'Damn Yankees” after the game. 'Nobody is really going to do better than that. It's hard to do better than that.

'It was awesome. It's real neat to be around when those things happen.”

The first inning was a turning point offensively and defensively. North Scott threatened early, loading the bases on an error, walk and hit batsman. It was the lone hiccup for Adkins, who improved to 6-2.

'He pitched himself out of it,” Stumpff said. 'After that, he was really locked in pitching-wise. He had good stuff.”

Adkins, who has committed to play at Upper Iowa University next year, provided all the offense needed with a two-run home run in the first. Kevin DeLaney reached and with the wind blowing out to right Adkins drove a pitch during a designed hit-and-run. He has been an offensive contributor for West (21-7), hitting .400 as a sophomore on varsity. Adkins has overcome a slow start, like some of his teammates, to hit .293 with 10 extra-base hits, including three homers, and rank fourth on the team with 18 RBIs.

'He's one of our best hitters,” Stumpff said. 'The last three weeks have been better.”

Adkins has been strong all season. He has a 0.69 earned-run average with 45 strikeouts and has allowed just 27 hits in 51 innings. He has thrown in four of West's shutouts this season, tossing a one-hitter against Clinton.

'He's done well all year,” Stumpff said. 'His numbers are phenomenal this year.”

Adkins said all three pitches worked against the Lancers. His fastball and change-up were the most effective, adding that his change-up has been one of his best pitches since he was a youth. The pitching feat meant more to him.

'The no-hitter because my job was to pitch,” Adkins said. 'They let me hit because I can, but my job was to not give up any runs. That is my job when they have me on the mound. My job is to shut the other team down and I try to do that.”

Adkins is a creature of habit, keeping with his same routine. He started to warm up about 30 minutes before the rest of the Trojans, keeping to himself and wearing a fleece pullover despite the temperature. He learned it from his dad, Chris Adkins, who pitched for the University of Arizona.

'I just do the same thing every day,” Adkins said. 'That helps me get in the zone.”

Stumpff presented Adkins with the game ball but Adkins is not big on mementos. He will likely hand it over to his 10-year-old brother, Cade.

'I'm not big on keeping things,” Adkins said. 'For me it's just the memory. I like the memory.

'My brother loves anything from me because I know he looks up to me. I'll probably give it to him.”

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