SMI Downs Lions In Little League Baseball Action (05/29/14)

(By Eric Simko, SMI Manager)

Skylar Rhoades took the mound for SMI as they battled the Lions for the 3rd time this season, on Thursday, May 22. Rhoades gave up a single to the first Lions batter Nick Frederick, then struck out the next 3 batters, but not before Frederick could move around the diamond and score on passed balls.

Rhoades led off for SMI in the bottom of the 1st and walked. Dan Ketner then doubled scoring Rhoades. Christian Simko singled scoring Ketner before Lions hurler Logan Lerch could record two strikeouts and an infield fly to end the inning. 2-1 SMI.

Rhoades faced and retired 3 batters via strikeout in the top of the 2nd.

In the bottom of the 2nd Owen Reinsel singled but no other damage done by SMI. Lerch recorded another strikeout.

In the top of the 3rd Frederick again reached base and with heads up base running stole and reached bases on passed balls all the way around to home again. Rhoades got out of the inning with a strike out and infield assistance for two outs.

In the bottom of the 3rd SMI batters Kaden Park and Skyler Pastor drew walks off Lions pitcher Ryan Hummel. Jesse Lewis reached on a fielder’s choice that saw Pastor put out, but scored Park. Reinsel singled again and Rhoades hit a bases clearing shot over the fence bringing in three. The next two batters Ketner and Simko reached on errors. Todd Brazier then singled scoring Ketner and Park singled in Simko. Brazier and Park were left aboard as the inning ended. 8-2 SMI.

Rhoades remained strong in the 4th as he struck out 2 more and induced a groundball out.

In the bottom of the 4th Gary Matus and Rhoades walked. Ketner and Simko again reached on errors scoring Matus. Brazier singled again scoring Rhoades and Ketner. 11-2 SMI.

As the top of 5 started Rhoades was removed due to pitch count restrictions and Simko took the mound for SMI. Simko struck out two and got one batter with an infield fly out.

Bottom of the 5th saw Hummel record one strike out, a groundball out, and infield fly out.

In the Top of the 6th Simko faced four Lions getting two strikeouts, walking one and a game ending infield fly out. SMI 11-2.

Hits:
Lions Frederick 1b.
SMI Rhoades HR; Brazier 1b, 1b; Reinsel 1b, 1b; Ketner 2b; Simko 1b; Park 1b.

Pitchers:
Lions Lerch and Hummel
SMI Rhoades and Simko

(Thanks to Coach Simko for this article.)