MUSCODA - The varsity baseball team bounced back Tuesday, April 26 with an inspired 9-0 win over the Southwestern Wildcats.
The Chieftains received a very strong pitching performance from freshman lefty Michael Schaefer as he struck out 11, while giving up just two hits in the complete game shut out.
“Excellent outing by Michael,” said Head Coach Curt Thompson. “He continues to improve each time out.”
The Chieftains quickly jumped on the Wildcats in this one. Bradon Roen got them going with a long double to left. One out later, Trevor Johnson would rocket a shot to left center for an RBI double and it was 1-0.
Caleb Johnson launched a double to deep center to put runners on second and third. A passed ball later, T. Johnson would score. An out later, Schaefer delivered an RBI single to left and it was 3-0.
“Great start, and the guys came out ready to play with great intensity,” said the coach.
Riverdale added four more in the second inning. Ethan Haffner got them started with a lead-off walk and steal of second. Roen lined an RBI single. Back-to-back singles by Trevor Troxel and T. Johnson brought in another run. C. Johnson walked to load the bases. One out later, Schaefer delivered a sac fly, bringing in another runner. Ty Hougan rounded out the scoring with a sharp RBI single to right and it was 7-0.
“Excellent job by our hitters,” said Coach Thompson.
Meanwhile, Schaefer was cruising along facing very little trouble and receiving some really good defensive support, especially by left fielder T. Johnson, who made three nice catches in the game.
“"Trevor J. had an excellent overall game tonight,” said the coach. “Everyone played with a greater sense of urgency tonight.”
The Wildcats put together their only threat of the game in the fourth, but the Chieftains escaped any damage with a big strike out. From that point, Schaefer was in complete control as Riverdale retired the last nine hitters in a row.
The Chieftains plated their final two runs in the sixth inning. Four straight singles by Troxel, T. Johnson, C. Johnson, and Elijah Cannon would result in two runs to make it a 9-0 final.
“A big win,” said Coach Thompson. “We need to keep improving, but the key will be our focus and intensity. If we play with urgency we are very tough to beat.”
Box Score: AB-Runs-Hits-RBI: Roen 4-2-2-1; Luck 0-0-0-0; Troxel 5-1-2-0; T. Johnson 4-3-3-2; C. Johnson 2-2-2-1; Cannon 4-0-1-1; Ekleberry 0-0-0-0; Schaefer 2-0-1-2; Fox 1-0-0-0; Hougan 4-0-2-1; Haile 4-0-0-0; Haffner 1-1-0-0; and Harris 1-0-0-0
Pitching Stats: IP-Hits-R-ER-BB-K: Schaefer 7-2-0-0-2-11
