First Posted: 4/10/2013

ST. PAULS To say Fairmonts Alex Britt has pitched well against St. Pauls over the course of his high school career is a bit of an understatement.

The reigning conference and county player of the year handcuffed the Bulldogs again Tuesday with pinpoint precision for his fifth victory in five all-time starts as the Golden Tornadoes kept pace at the top of league standings with a 9-0 win.

The victory marked Fairmonts 14th straight over the Bulldogs dating back to the 2008 season. Adding to his personal dominance, Britt scattered three hits over five scoreless innings and fanned nine batters to give himself a total of 59 strikeouts in 32 2/3 frames against St. Pauls since his sophomore season.

From the lead-off spot, Britt drew two walks, scored three runs and delivered a single in the fourth to raise his average to a team-leading .470.

He only threw 63 pitches, but since weve got two more games this week, we figured it was time to take him out after five, Fairmont coach Sandy Thorndyke said. We usually know what were going to get out of Alex when he takes the mound. He threw it about as well as we expected today.

Britts outing came one week after Fairmont (6-4, 3-1) delivered a 10-1 decision over the same Bulldogs in the Slugfests third-place game. Like that contest, St. Pauls (6-8, 2-3) struggled with routine plays in its first game back from spring break and never recovered after the Golden Tornadoes put up a five-spot courtesy of four hits and four errors in the fourth inning.

Cole Lovin, Gage Hardin and Michael Simmons each knocked in runs with base hits in the frame off Bulldogs starter Kirkland Locklear. St. Pauls dropped three infield flies, threw wide of first twice and made seven total errors during the contest.

When you struggle with adversity, losses are going to happen, St. Pauls coach Kelly Chavis said. We had some bad things happen and we folded. It was the snowball effect. Until we learn how to handle certain situations when things dont go our way, were not going to win many ballgames.

Trailing 6-0 in the fifth, St. Pauls was in business with runners at second and third with no outs against Britt, but the crafty veteran right-hander had other plans. Britt caught the Bulldogs 7-8-9 hitters swinging to end the inning with no damage done. Ricky Ivey, a senior transfer who played last season at Purnell Swett, finished the deal after retiring all six batters he faced over the final two frames.

The Golden Tornadoes have given up just 13 total runs over their last eight games six wins since falling to South Columbus 10-0 in their home opener.

Were getting better and thats the main thing we keep telling our guys, Thorndyke said. Ricky is ready to pitch Thursday against East Columbus and well have Cole or Alex ready for South Robeson on Friday.