For Stoughton High's Mike Dixon, First Varsity Win Was Worth the Wait

The Stoughton High baseball team has received quality performances all season from its starting rotation of sophomore Mike Gallagher, senior captain Brian Kaplan and junior Mike Dixon. 

Although unlike Gallagher and Kaplan, Dixon had nothing to show for his solid work on the mound, that is until the most important game of the season for the Black Knights.

Heading into , Dixon was 0-4 despite allowing just eight runs over four starts, and no more than three in a single appearance. 

That's because in 23 and 1/3 innings he received zero runs of support. Perfection would not have earned Dixon a win. 

Yet needing a win against the Bulldogs in order to qualify for the postseason, Stoughton turned to Dixon, who once again delivered, and this time, so did the Stoughton bats.

The Black Knights won 4-1, giving Dixon his first victory as a varsity starting pitcher, and more importantly, giving the team its 10th win of the season, which makes Stoughton . 

"That was a great feeling," Dixon said after the game. The junior turned in perhaps his best effort against Canton, pitching all seven innings, scattering five hits and allowing just one run.

"He's been pitching great all year and we said what better way to get his first "W" than the tournament clinching [game]," Stoughton coach Mike Armour said.

With the win, Stoughton improved to 10-9 on the season, 9-4 over the last 13 games. 

Fittingly it was Dixon who snapped his streak of no run support, singling home Jamie Connors with two outs in the bottom of the second, giving Stoughton a 1-0 lead.

Dixon had the chance to drive in a run in his last start, , but grounded out to end the fifth inning.

"After that OA game when it was bases loaded and I grounded out I couldn't [leave] another guy on third," Dixon said.

Canton came back and tied the game 1-1 in the top of the third, but Dixon went unscathed the rest of the way, aided by three Stoughton runs in the fifth inning.

"It's about time," said a relieved Dixon after receiving the win. "I've been doing my best out there pitching real well and it hasn't happened, but [Monday] we got it done and that's the most important thing."

While it may have been a frustrating situation, Dixon didn't let his tough luck get the best him.

"Pitching is my thing so I just go out there and do my thing," Dixon said. "I try not to worry about what's happening around me. Stay focused on the batter I'm facing now, so that's what I did - try to keep a cool head."