SMI Pulls Off A 6-5 Win Against Burns and Burns (05/16/14)
(By SMI Manager, Eric Simko)
Owen Reinsel took the mound for SMI and started hot striking out the first batter. The second batter Hayden Callen was not going to go the same route and pounded a double to the outfield fence. Lake Staub followed with a double scoring Callen. Two Burns batters reached on errors scoring Staub, before Reinsel could record his third strikeout of the evening.
Staub took the mound for Burns & Burns and saw Skylar Rhoades pounded a triple. Danny Ketner then reached on an error scoring Rhoades. Christian Simko then singled to right field but made it all the way to third base scoring Ketner. Kaden Park then singled in Simko. Timmy Craig then flew out to Staub who made a nice back pedaling catch and throw to second to double off Park. 3-2 SMI.
Ethan Burford doubled with two outs to start the top of the second for the boys in Orange. Callen then hit an in the park HR to right centerfield hitting 5th gear as he cleared the bases. Staub followed with a double but was left aboard.
With two outs for SMI in the bottom of the second; Rhoades got things going with a single. Ketner then doubled scoring Rhoades, but was tagged out trying for third (error on the 3rd base coach). Game tied 4-4.
The top of the third went quick for SMI as Reinsel saw 4 batters getting a strikeout, a walk, and then two fielder’s choice ground ball outs.
In the bottom of the third Todd Brazier singled but was thrown out at 2nd on a fielder’s choice ground ball. Park singled but it wasn’t enough as Burns & Burns pitcher Tyler Schmader struck out the next two batters stranding two for SMI.
With a sense of urgency in the top of the fourth SMI big man Rhoades was sent to the mound. He faced 4 batters giving up a single to Staub prior to recording 3 strikeouts for the half inning.
With two outs again for SMI the top of the order was able to muster up a run. Rhoades was hit by a pitch; Ketner singled again scoring Rhoades from first base. 5-4 SMI.
Things started smooth for SMI in the top of the fifth as Rhoades continued to fire and struck out the first batter. But Rhoades struggled to find the strike zone and walked the bases loaded on 3 straight batters. Christian Simko was then brought in to relieve Rhoades and struck out two batters to get SMI out of a jam.
Simko then led off for SMI in the bottom of the fifth and singled. Park then drew a walk as Simko moved to third on passed balls. Gary Matus then grounded out but recorded a very important RBI getting Simko in from third. Park was stranded as Hayden Callen in relief struck out two batters to end the inning. 6-4 SMI.
In the top of the sixth Callen led off for Burns & Burns and doubled again. Staub reached on an error scoring Callen. Simko held strong and battled back striking out the next two batters. The third batter flew out to centerfielder Rhoades to end the game. SMI 6-5.
Pitchers: Burns & Burns: Staub, Schmader, and Callen; SMI: Reinsel, Rhoades, and Simko.
Hits: Burns & Burns: Callen HR, 2b, 2b. Staub 2b, 2b, 1b. Burford 2b; SMI: Rhoades 3b, 1b, HBP. Ketner 2b, 1b. Simko 1b, 1b. Park 1b, 1b. Brazier 1b. Matus insurance RBI ground ball bottom of the 5th.
(Thanks to Coach Simko for this article.)