SMI Advances To C.A.L.L. Championship Game With Victory Over Lions (06/20/15)

SMI downed Lions,4-1, in the second round of the Clarion Little League Baseball Tournament, on Wednesday, June 17th, moving SMI into the Championship game. SMI Manager, Eric Simko shares this game recap:

Hayden Callen drew a walk to start the game for SMI; Christian Simko reached first with a single, taking second base and scoring Callen, following a throwing error. With two outs, Gabe Simko hit a ball into shallow right field but Brady Quinn robbed him of the hit with a spectacular catch.

In the bottom of the first, Lions leadoff man Cole Slaugenhoup singled off SMI pitcher Hayden Callen. Callen struck out the next two batters, but the damage was done when Lions pitcher Skylar Pastor doubled scoring Slaugenhoup. Pastor was left stranded. 1-1

The second inning was simple. SMI went 3 up and 3 down with Pastor recording two strikeouts. The Lions went quietly as well, Callen faced three and struck out three.

In the top of the 3rd, Pastor remained tough striking out three of four SMI batters. Prior to the third out he gave up a single to Christian Simko who was left aboard. In the bottom of the 3rd, Callen struck out two and induced a ground ball put out (1-3) after a quick flip to first base. 1-1

It the top of the 4th, Pastor faced 5 SMI batters; walked two and struck out three. In the bottom of the 4th, Callen struck out two more Lions. Pastor helped his own cause with a triple. But the heads up Hayden Callen tagged Pastor out at home (put out catcher to pitcher) on a steal attempt following a passed ball to end the inning. 1-1

In the top of the 5th, H. Callen tripled with 1 out. He was left stranded as Pastor remained tough. In the bottom of the 5th, Callen gave up a single to leadoff batter Corbin Coulson. Callen then struck out the next three leaving Coulson stranded. 1-1

In the top of the 6th, Pastor reached his pitch limit; Gabe Simko, Peyton Smith, and Brock Smith worked the new pitcher in order to draw walks, Tanner Miller then drew a walk and plated Gabe Simko. With bases loaded and two outs, Hayden Callen came to the plate for SMI. Callen slammed a double off the left field fence, scoring the Smith boys. The Lions got out of the top half with a final strikeout.

In the bottom of the 6th, Slaugenhoup led off and was struck out but reached first on a dropped 3rd strike. Ryan Alston then singled. With two on and no outs Hayden Callen, like a young man on a mission, struck out the next three Lions batters, to end the game and secure a spot for Team SMI in the C.A.L.L. Championship game. 4-1 SMI

Hayden Callen pitched a complete game, recording 16 strikeouts with no walks. He gave up 5 hits.
Thanks to the Lions players for what turned out to be a great game.