Girodo steps up in clutch

By By Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
Chad Girodo has had a pretty incredible run on the baseball field over the past week.
Over the course of seven days, the Hartselle senior picked up two area wins and verbally committed to play at Mississippi State next year.
But his shining moment probably came last Wednesday when he threw a no-hitter in an area game with Russellville on the road.
Girodo ran into just a small bit of trouble against Russellville in the third inning, putting two runners on when he hit a batter and walked another, but he got out of the situation by getting the third out with a strikeout.
Russellville never threatened again.
Girodo came back in the fourth inning and proceeded to retire the next 12 batters he faced to earn his second career no-hitter. He turned the trick last season in a win over Gadsden City.
Girodo finished the night with 13 strikeouts and added five ground-ball outs and three flyouts to keep Russellville in check.
Girodo improved to 11-1 with the two wins.
The win also helped Hartselle take another step toward a perfect run through area play. He added another win Tuesday against Athens to give the Tigers a 6-0 area mark going into the playoffs in less than two weeks.
Girodo is expected to sign with the Bulldogs later this week, making him the second Tiger pitcher to sign with the Southeastern Conference power this spring. Senior Luke Bole signed with the Bulldogs in February.
Sports editor Todd Thompson can be reached at 773-6566 or at todd.thompson@hartselleenquirer.com