Easton Johnson threw a one-hit shutout and Gilbert defeated Greene County 9-0 in the opening round of Class 3A Substate 8 postseason baseball last night in Gilbert. Coach Matt Paulsen’s Rams ended the season with a 9-15 record while the Tigers, winners of nine games in a row, advance to Monday’s semifinals with a 22-8 mark.

The third ranked Tigers scored two runs in the first inning, one in the third, two in the fifth, and four in the sixth. The Rams weren’t charged with physical errors, but also weren’t able to make several plays defensively that proved costly. Bryce Stalder took the pitching loss, going 5-2/3 innings, allowing 10 hits, including home runs to Easton Johnson and Nick Chasey. He walked two batters, hit two with pitches, and struck out three. Reliever Joe Carey fanned the only batter he based.

Johnson, a Creighton University baseball recruit, gave up a single to Kole Teeples in the fourth inning. Cameren Miller walked in the third, and Jack Hansen reached on an error in the sixth, and those were the only Greene County base runners. The right-hander struck the Rams out eight times including six of the last 10 batters he faced.

Greene County seniors playing their last game for the Rams were Peyton Kinsey, Miller, and Alex Roberts.