Commerce baseball coach Steve Cotrell feels like he's got a lot of the pieces in place for his program to make a run for the Region 8-A title this season, even though 15 games still remain in region play.
The Tigers (6-3, 4-1 Region 8-A) have steady offensive production, led by senior Cody Streetman, and a solid two-deep starting rotation with Robert Hayes and Colton Davis.
"We still haven't played as well as we can yet, which is not a bad thing," Cotrell said. "We're working to get better and peak at the right time."
However, even though the Tigers' coach still feels like things can get better, Thursday's 13-0 win against Riverside Military (2-7-1, 1-4) at Katterjohn Field in Gainesville was dominating.
Streetman continued his recent tear at the plate with four hits, reached base in all five plate appearances, drove in three runs and scored three times, too.
According to Cotrell, Streetman has nine hits in his last 10 plate appearances, including a pair of home runs and four doubles.
"Cody's been carrying us lately," Cotrell said. "He's got a sweet swing and keeps his hands really relaxed when he's up at the plate.
"If we get all eight or nine guys hitting like that, we'll be dangerous."
The pitching for Commerce was equally efficient against the Eagles.
Junior Robert Hayes, considered the No. 2 pitcher in the rotation, threw a complete game shutout, needing only 74 pitches to earn the win. Hayes only allowed a pair of hits and a pair of walks to Riverside, which has gone scoreless in three straight games.
"Robert's a great pitcher for us," Streetman said. "He gives us another solid arm to go with Colton Davis in the rotation."
Streetman's outstanding afternoon at the plate started with a two-out double in the first inning, one of four extra-base hits for the Tigers on the day.
He added RBI singles in the third, sixth and seventh innings.
In addition to his performance on the mound, Hayes had a two-run double down the third base line with two outs in the third inning, along with a two-out single in the second inning.
After Streetman plated a run with a single in the sixth inning, Davis followed with a hard hit two-out, two-run single for Commerce.
Eight different hitters in the Commerce order had at least one hit, including doubles off the bench late in the game from Parker Moon and Alec Aguilar.
"We've been doing a good job of putting the ball in play," Streetman said. "I think everyone put the ball in play at least once today.
"If you get the ball in play, then it's on the other team to get you out."
Riverside Military made six fielding errors, along with a pair of throwing errors that also led to runs for the Tigers.
Riverside's only promising scoring opportunity came in the second inning when Gabe Frazier reached after being hit by a pitch with two outs, and Blake Barrom ripped a single past the glove of an outstretched Commerce second baseman.
Christian Phares had the only other hit for Riverside, which hosts Towns County at 5 p.m. today in Gainesville.
Commerce hosts Lakeview Academy at 5:30 p.m. today.