SMI Downs Lions In 2014 Little League Opener (04/22/14)

(By Eric Simko)

The 2014 Clarion Little League season officially debuted last night 04/21/14. SMI faced Lions in what turned out to be a great opener.

On the mound for SMI was Skylar Rhoades. The first batter of the year, Lions big man, Nick Frederick promptly singled off Rhoades to open the season. Frederick didn’t stop there as he promptly stole 2nd and 3rd. Ben Smith then singled scoring Frederick and reached 3rd himself on a fielding error.

Lions didn’t stop there as Logan Lerch smacked a double into right field scoring Smith. Rhoades got SMI out of the inning striking out the next two batters. Frederick took the mound for the Lions striking out 3 of the first 5 batters but not before SMI could do a little damage themselves. Rhoades reached on a single and then promptly took 2nd, 3rd, and home on passed balls. At the end of one, Lions lead 2-1.

The 2nd inning was all pitching and both Rhoades and Frederick struck out the sides respectively.

The Lions and Nick Frederick again came thru in the 3rd, as Frederick drew a walk and then moved to 2nd and 3rd on a passed ball and a steal. Ben Smith then singled and scored Frederick again.

As the game moved to the bottom of the 3rd there was no quit in SMI. Christian Simko led off and drew a walk. Skylar Rhoades then came to the plate and took the first pitch long, over the right field fence for the first home run of the season. Todd Brazier then singled for SMI and scored on a passed ball from 3rd. Kaden Park also reached base on balls and was able to score on a passed ball from 3rd. At the end of three it was 5-3 SMI.

Rhoades again was tough in the top of the 4th as he again struck out the Lions side. In the bottom of 4 Jesse Lewis drew a walk for SMI and reached 2nd on a passed ball. Owen Reinsel also drew a walk; Rhoades smacked a double and scored Lewis. Danny Ketner singled, scoring Reinsel and Brazier then scored Rhoades on a fielder’s choice. Park then drew a walk but he and Ketner were left aboard. At the end of four it was 8-3 SMI.

The 5th inning saw more quality pitching. Rhoades struck out two and got the third batter to ground out. Logan Lerch took the mound for Lions and made quick work of SMI striking out 3 batters.

To start the 6th Ben Smith reached on balls, Rhoades was approaching his limit in pitches. With Smith aboard, Rhoades battled and was able to strikeout his final batter of the night. Ketner was brought on in relief and finished the game with a ground out then strike out of the final batter of the night.

(Thanks to Coach Simko for this article.)