Robert Klann pitches Brother Rice past No. 1-ranked University Liggett in CHSL Bishop semifinals
The season series between Birmingham Brother Rice and Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett has had a little bit of everything.
Dueling no-hitters in one doubleheader. One-run games and blowouts.
Robert Klann made all that academic in Friday’s rubber match at Comerica Park, as he took a no-hitter into the fifth, and finished off a complete-game threehitter as Brother Rice beat the Knights, Division 3’s No. 1-ranked team, 5-1, in the Catholic League Bishop Division semifinals.
“I got a little tired at the arm was lagging a little so I had to use my legs more to just finish through it, so that’s what I did,” Klann said. “I haven’t really had a break since last summer, having gone hard the whole offseason, but it’s paying off.”
The Warriors (20-8) advance to next Wednesday’s CHSL finals, which will be held at their home field, Warrior Park, in Troy, taking on No. 1-ranked Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (32-0). The Eaglets beat Novi Detroit Catholic Central, 4-0, in Friday’s other Bishop semifinal.
The title contest will follow the earlier matchup between Dearborn Divine Child and Macomb Lutheran
North in the Cardinal Division championship game.
Klann faced just two walks over the minimum through the fourth, and didn’t allow a hit until one of the infield variety to Liggett’s Jake Barton with one out in the fifth. He got out of the jam with a double play, but gave up his lone run an inning later, when Matthew Greene had a one-out double, and came around to score on an RBI single by Preston Barr.
“To start the game, he did really well and, and, you know, pitchers these days are kind of finicky. And you know, you’re kind of rushed when that first game gets over before you and you’ve only got X amount of time to get going. So I know he was kind of under the gun and didn’t have his normal like ‘It’s time to go.’ And I was like, OK, how’s this gonna affect him?” Rice coach Bob Riker wondered. “But Robert has been steady all year and done a really good job. So he battled and competed, I couldn’t ask for anything more from him.”
By that point, though, the Warriors had already built a 5-0 lead, with two runs in the second and three more in the third.
Rice loaded the bases against Liggett starter Kurt Barr with two walks and a misplayed sacrifice bunt attempt, and got on the board with Tristan Crane’s sacrifice fly. Riker tried to take advantage of the situation by pinch hitting, and it worked when Alex Tribul reached on a passed ball after a strikeout to plate another run, making it 2-0.
“I’ve been thinking about that as much as I can, you know, you try to try to match up defense on offense and guys that are swinging good. And guys that are playing good defense sometimes doesn’t match up. But the opportunity was there and I told myself that I’d do it, I would do it no matter what,” Riker said. “And it worked out.”
The Warriors expanded the lead to 5-0 with a three-run third, a rally started by a double by Tyler Fox. Ryan Tyranski tripled to the deepest part of right-center field, driving in two runs, then scored on a double by Owen Turner.
“When Ryan Tyranski hit that triple, I mean I feel like that game was sealed,” Klann said. “Just gotta finish.”