Every pitcher starts off each game with the intent of bringing home a win. Sometimes, they do a little better.
    Last Friday, Statesboro High School junior Tyler Brown took the hill against Lakeside-Evans. Seven innings later, the lanky right-hander completed a 5-0 Blue Devils victory without allowing a hit to the Panthers.
    When Brown induced the last Lakeside batter to ground out, he wasn’t quite sure what to think.
    “I had never thrown a no-hitter before,” Brown said. “I was excited, but before I could do anything, all of my teammates were jumping on me to celebrate.”
    In a game full of nervousness and superstition, especially with something as special as a no-hitter in progress, Brown kept his cool. While most players won’t talk to their pitcher in that situation, Brown tried to keep everybody loose.
    “I kept talking to everyone,” Brown said. “I didn’t really say anything about the no-hitter, but I kept telling my teammates to keep making plays behind me. They really made things easy for me.”
    The Blue Devils will play region foe Evans on Friday night in Augusta.