March 9, 2012
Skyline Varsity vs Eastside Catholic Crusaders
Skyline High School
Eastside Catholic 4 Skyline 3
The 2012 Skyline Varsity Baseball season kicked off on a Friday afternoon under threatening skies at the Home Field for the Spartan Nine. Matt Lunde took the mound for the Spartans in a non-Kingco conference matchup against neighborhood rival Eastside Catholic on an afternoon where the weather pattern matched the pattern of the game. As it looked like we may get game # out of the way and escape any typical early Spring Northwest rain, Lunde started off the first two innings for Skyline facing the minimum 6 batters, striking out 2 and allowing 1 single to EC's Jeff Kepple who left the field as many base runners will this year on a Sinatro to Sinatro throw out at second base while attempting a steal. The only thing that will leave that out of the scorebook this year is teams who elect not to test the Spartan "bro" connection.
The Spartan Nine took an early lead and came out of the blocks with a run in the first inning after a Matt Sinatro ground ball single between 2nd and 1st base into Right Field and came home on a deep drive to the 396 sign in Right Field. Where is Coach McCrite when you need him? Huber's RBI drive went for the first Spartan extra base hit of the year as he slid into 3rd base with a triple. The Spartan offense threatened again in the second inning as Conner Reinertsen led off with his first of three walks on the day who was forced at 2nd on a Fielders Choice by Chris Rogers, who then advanced to 2nd on a stolen base and then 3rd on a Wild Pitch. The scoring opportunity was lost as Rogers was forced out at home on a ground ball by Michael Stewart.
As the rain became a little heavier and the temperatures started to drop, a series of fortunate bounces for the Crusaders influenced the Spartan defense to hit a road bump and allowed EC to get themselves into the game. Lunde struck out the first batter faced in the third inning but then what ended up being the story in this game, issued the second batter in the inning, Jon Michalik, a base on balls. Michalik stole 2nd base on a call that most Skyline fans will question on a missed tag, an infield single by EC's Addison Hull put runners on 1st and 3rd. A walk issued to the leadoff batter, Jeff Bohling, loaded the bases and allowed the Crusaders to manufacture a run on a Fielders Choice and a hard ground ball hit in the hole between SS and 3rd Base. By the time Lunde got the third out, EC was able to put 2 runs on the board without hitting a ball out of the infield, tying the score.
Corbin Powers relieved Lunde in the 4th inning and as the umpires starting passing word that darkness could cause this game to be called earlier than the full 7 innings, the junior hurler made quick work out of the Crusader’s with 2 K’s and the second “bro” connection catching Travis Ulvestad attempting to swipe 2nd base. The Spartan Nine looked to take the lead with a Brandon Fischer single into Right Field, advancing to 2nd base on a base on balls to Conner Reinertsen. A deep fly ball by Chris Rogers to Center Field advanced Fischer to 3rd and an error on the throw from CF to 3rd base allowed Fischer to score and Reinertsen moving to 3rd base where he was stranded but the Spartans were able to take the lead 3-2.
Powers made quick work out of the Crusaders in the 5th inning with another 2 strikeouts and a towering fly ball to LF and the Spartan Nine approached the plate with hopes of adding to their lead. Michael Stewart led off with a hard ground ball in the hole and with the entire Park looking for the Skyline speedster to steal 2nd base, Austin Soukup the Crusader pitcher threw a ball to the backstop allowing Stewart to advance to 2nd. Connor Gilchrist beat out a perfect bunt down the 3rd baseline for a single. A Matt Sinatro ground ball to 2nd base drove in Stewart with Skyline taking a 3-2 lead into the 6th inning and darkness insuring this game would not go the full 7 innings.
Pitchers have to make batters earn their way on base and the story of this game was too many base on balls issued by the Spartan pitchers. The Crusader 6th inning started off with the first two batters being issued free passes. Jacob Gleichman relieved Powers and as the skies darkened so did the tenor of the game for the Spartans. A sacrifice bunt advanced the runners followed by a balk allowing a run to score and a runner to take 3rd Base tying the game. The winning run crossed the plate on a Wild Pitch and the Spartan Nine came to the plate for the last half inning of the game looking for one run to tie and two to win.
Reinertsen led off with his third base on balls of the day advancing to 2nd on a Rogers ground ball to 3rd base. Chris Moellendorf entered the game as a Pinch Runner looking for a base hit to score and tie the game and drew a throw from the EC pitcher, Austin Soukup putting the Skyline runner on 3rd base. Sophomore Bradley Hoss pinch hitting for Cole Blackburn drew a walk putting runners on 1st and 3rd bases with one out. A bunt attempt with Stewart at the plate was unsuccessful as Moellendorf was forced out at the plate. The Spartan Nine still had hopes with runners at 1st and 2nd base with two outs but unfortunately for this afternoon that was as far as they would advance as the game came to a close under darkening skies.
Pitching Summary
Matt Lunde 3IP, 3H, 2ER, 2BB, 3K
Corbin Powers 2IP, 0H, 2ER, 5BB, 4K
Jacob Gleichman 1IP, 0H, 0R, 1BB, 1K
Totals 6IP, 3H, 4ER, 8K, 8BB
Hitting Summary
Michael Stewart 1-2, 1R
Matt Sinatro 1-3, 1R, 1RBI
Clay Huber 1-3, 1RBI
Brandon Fischer 1-3, 1R
Connor Gilchrist 1-4
Totals 22AB, 3R, 5H, 2RBI, 5BB, 2K
Skyline Varsity Record 0-1
Next game Monday March 12, 3:45 at Skyline High School vs Auburn Mountainview
Game stats
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| Eastside Catholic
4
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At Skyline
Friday March 9, 2012 3:45pm |
Skyline
3
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Batting Highlights
Pitching Highlights
