Southeast Missourian Player of the Week: Dalton Elfrink

Oran right-hander Dalton Elfrink recently turned in a pair of strong outings for the Eagles baseball team.

The junior tossed eight shutout innings in Oran's 1-0 victory over Oak Ridge on Friday.

Elfrink only allowed one hit over the eight innings.

"Just keeping it outside and listening to my teammates cheering me on," Elfrink said. "It just gives me a drive to do better and make sure I carry the team."

Elfrink struck out eight and walked three.

"Pitched a great game," Oran coach Mitch Wood said. "I was glad to see that.

Wood admitted that Elfrink would not have pitched the ninth inning, but the Eagles' offense removed that problem by scoring in the bottom of the eighth on a passed ball to give Elfrink the win.

The victory over Oak Ridge came a week after he allowed two hits over 6 2/3 innings against Leopold. The Eagles defeated the Wildcats 2-0. Elfrink struck out eight Leopold batters, and he drove in one of the runs at the plate.

Elfrink smacked a double in Oran's 13-8 win against Scott City last week.

Elfrink said his strategy for retiring hitters is relatively easy.

"What I do is if I can keep it low enough, normally they ain't going to be able to dip up under it," Elfrink said. "And if they do, it's going to be straight up. If not, I try to keep it on the outside and low."