Ethan Laird had a stellar night on the mound, as he allowed just one hit and one unearned run as first-place New Market won at home 5-1 on Friday against Grottoes in Rockingham County Baseball League action.
The win clinches the regular-season title for New Market - the first since 1972 when the team was the Twin County Twins, according to current skipper Nolan Potts.
Laird, in his second start of the year, struck out eight batters and walked three and held Grottoes scoreless until the ninth. Frankie Ritter had three hits and scored twice for the Shockers and Luke Keister added two hits.