World Series champion

Pike County’s Hunter Strickland is a World Series champion after the San Fransisco Giants beat the Kansas City Royals 3-2 in the final game. Although Strickland didn’t pitch in the final game, he was instrumental in several wins leading up to – and during – the World Series. After being called up to the Major Leagues Sept. 1 to play in Denver, Colorado, Strickland made the 40-man World Series roster after impressing coach Bruce Bochy. In the first World Series game, Strickland struck out two batters in the ninth inning and ended the game with a ground out. The Giants won 7-1.In the second World Series game, Strickland gave up two homeruns and after what he called a ‘˜miscommunication’ with the Royals’ Salvador Perez, a shouting match emptied both dugouts although no punches were thrown and no one was hurt. Strickland pitched two innings in game six. He was called to the mound in the sixth inning and set the batters down in order 1, 2, 3. He ended the inning with a 4-6-3 double play. In the seventh inning, he gave up a homerun after getting one out. Then he ended the inning with a pop out and fly ball to center field. Strickland graduated from Pike County High School in 2007. He was drafted right out of high school by the Red Sox.