Burns & Burns Outlast Previously Unbeaten SMI, Win 9-5 (05/06/14)

(By Coach Kenn Staub)

Burns & Burns outlasted SMI on Monday (05/05) to claim a 9-5 victory over their previously undefeated opponent. In a game which saw six lead changes and three impressive home run blasts, it took a fifth inning rally to clinch the victory for the boys sporting orange and blue.

Batting first as the away team SMI jumped out to a 1-0 lead, though they certainly might have scored more if not for a fine defensive play by Burns & Burns. Ominously for Burns & Burns SMI’s first three batters of the game, Skylar Rhoades, Daniel Ketner, and Todd Brazier, were all hit by pitches to load the bases. With no outs, SMI’s next batter flied out to Burns & Burns second baseman, Jordy Hesdon, who alertly doubled up the runner leading off first. While this action was happening on the right side of the field, Rhoades trotted home from third. SMI continued to threaten with two outs when Ketner advanced from second to third and Kaden Park walked. Burns & Burns pitcher Tyler Schmader rose to the challenge, however, and fanned SMI’s next batter, closing out the half inning and stranding the two runners.

The bottom half of the first belonged to Burns & Burns, as they pushed three runs across the plate.
Lead-off hitter Ethan Burford singled to center field and went to third when the next batter, Hayden Callen, doubled. Lake Staub, hitting in the third spot, followed with a single to the right side that scored both Burford and a “heads up” Callen. Staub advanced to third when clean-up hitter Jordan Pezzuti doubled and then scored on a sacrifice by Schmader, putting Burns & Burns ahead 3-1.

The home team’s lead was short lived, as a single swing of the bat tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the second. SMI’s second batter of the inning, Owen Reinsel, walked and was comfortably on first when Rhoades hit a two out shot over the bleachers in center field to knot the game. SMI’s defense supported their offense in the bottom half of the inning, holding Burns & Burns scoreless despite a one out double by Burford.

SMI had the opportunity to take the lead in the top of the third, but Burns & Burns catcher Lake Staub prevented that from happening. Christian Simko led off the inning for SMI with a double to left field and advanced to third when the next batter grounded out. Simko attempted to take home on a wild pitch to the third batter, but Staub corralled the ball against the backstop and then moved to the front of the plating, blocking a sliding Simko to record the out. Schmader struck out SMI’s third batter to maintain the tie, which he quickly broke in the bottom half of the frame with a one out homer to left field, giving Burns & Burns a 4-3 lead.

Hayden Callen took the mound for Burns & Burns in the top of the fourth, using ten pitches to strike out the SMI side. Sensing an opportunity, Burns & Burns came out in their part of the inning looking to score runs. Burford drew a one out walk and got to second when Callen singled to left field. The third batter, Staub, grounded out to the pitcher but in so doing moved Burford to third and Callen to second. Bases were loaded when the next hitter, Pezzuti, drew a five pitch walk. Schmader, following Pezzuti, also walked to push Burford home, making the score 5-3 in Burns & Burns’s favor. A big inning was averted by SMI when the final Burns & Burns batter struck out.

SMI fought back and tied the score in the top of the fifth. Rhoades, leading off the inning, hit his second monstrous homer of the day, a one run clout to left field. Ketner followed Rhoades with a single and proceeded to second when the inning’s fourth batter grounded to the pitcher. With two outs Kaden Park singled to center field, driving in Ketner to make the score 5-5.

Having seen their lead evaporate in the top half of the inning, Burns & Burns entered their part of the frame determined to make something happen. Brian Andreas and Zach Hopkins drew consecutive walks, Burford loading the bases with a one out walk. Callen followed Burford with a walk of his own, scoring Andreas and moving everybody else up a spot. The next hitter, Staub, singled to the left side, scoring Hopkins and Burford while advancing Callen to third. Not content at third, Callen scored on a steal of home to record Burns & Burns’s last run of the game. Buoyed by a 9-5 lead, Callen took to the mound in the top of the sixth and sealed Burns & Burns’s victory by again striking out the SMI side on ten pitches.

Rhoades (two home runs) and Ketner (two singles) each had a multi-hit game for SMI, with Simko (double) and Park (single) also adding hits. Rhoades was credited with three RBI and Park one. Notching multi-hit games for Burns & Burns were Burford (single, double), Callen (single double), and Staub (two singles). Pezutti (double), Schmader (home run), and Bryan Andreas (single) also contributed with the bat. Both Staub and Schamder had three RBI, with Callen chipping in one.

Ketner started for SMI and recorded three strike outs in three-and-a-third innings. Pitching in relief Simko struck out two in one inning of work and Brazier fanned one in two-thirds of an inning. Schmader got the start for Burns & Burns, striking out four in three innings. Callen came on in relief to earn the win, punching out eight in three innings of work.

(Thanks to Coach Staub for this article. Note to Little League Softball and Baseball Coaches please submit your stories and pictures to davemcclaine@yahoo.com.)