Falcons top Satellites
WALKERTON — The drama of the highly anticipated game between ranked teams lasted all of one inning.
Thanks to a five-run uprising in its first at-bat, Class 3A No. 14 Glenn made quick work of Class 1A No. 4 South Central, winning 11-1 in five innings for its ninth straight win.
“I’m really pleased with this group,” said Glenn head coach John Nadolny. “We’ve pounded it (to win). We’ve come back. We’ve done some nice things the last two weeks during our streak. I’m pleased with where we’re at.”
Averaging 14.5 runs per game for the season with three games of 20 or more and scoring in double digits in nine of its first 11 games, five of Glenn’s first six batters scored to open this one. Colin Stephens had an RBI single, Nathan Marshman a two-run single and Joey Shoue an RBI groundout to account for four of them.
Stephens and Marshman were just getting started. Both finished with three hits, with Stephens knocking in four runs and scoring three, while Marshman had five RBIS, including the rare game-winning walk-off hit-by-pitch in the bottom of the fifth to end the game by the 10-run rule.
“(Marshman) does such a nice job for us behind the plate and really leads our pitching staff,” Nadolny said of his senior catcher. “I’m glad to see him get recognition for his offense too. (And Stephens), the ball just comes off his bat differently than others. He’s seeing the ball well and having a great year - pitching and hitting.”
Stephens’ RBI single and another tworun hit from Marshman accounted for all three runs in the fourth inning for an 8-1 lead. Both hits came with two outs.
“I just love that,” Nadolny said about the timeliness of the key hits.
The fifth inning was almost a carbon copy, but this time it was Stephens ripping a two-run single, then with two outs,
Marshman was plunked on a full-count to end the game.
As impressive as the offense was, so was the pitching of Joe Chrapliwy. The righthander scattered four hits, walked just three and struck out two in five innings.
“He pitched well and gave us a good outing,” Nadolny said. “He was working ahead of the hitters. Sometimes he gets in trouble when he tries to strike everybody out, but we have a good defense. He’ll learn to let his defense help him. He’s just a sophomore.”
Glenn’s next game is a Northern Indiana Conference contest at home on Monday, May 2, against South Bend Riley.
• GLENN 11, SOUTH CENTRAL 1