Wednesday’s game against the Olympic Trojans was by far the coldest night of this baseball season. At the Hopewell game fans were sitting out under blankets. Tonight not only did the fans have their blankets, the players kept warm with the help of a propane heater in the dugout.
Junior Jonathon Todaro was the starting pitcher for the Patriots and sat the Trojans down in order, Indy started the bottom half of the first inning with lead off batter CJ Brown hitting a double to the left field wall. Bryson Jusko reached on a walk, and both players moved up on a passed ball. Indy loaded the bases after Noah Howie got hit with a pitch. With the bases loaded and no outs, Indy’s Wilson Lohrer drove in Brown on an infield hit. After Drew Harris was called out on strikes, Tyson Clawson stepped to the plate and doubled to center field scoring Jusko and Howie. Brandon Moser picked up an RBI on a sacrifice scoring Lohrer to make the score 4-0 after one inning.
In the bottom of the second, CJ Brown reached on a bunt. But CJ didn’t stay on first very long; not only did he steal second, he also stole third base. While he was on third, Olympic’s catcher threw the ball back to the pitcher who was unable to make the catch. CJ used his speed to score making the score 5-0. Noah Howie drew a walk and stole second base. Howie went home on a wild pitch, and Indy finished the second inning leading 6-0.
The Trojans led off the top of the third with a walk. Aaron Hernandez came to the plate and reached on a fielder’s choice. Indy’s third baseman Brandon Moser fielded Hernandez’s ground ball and made the force out at second. With one out and Hernandez at first, he attempted to steal second. Indy’s catcher Bryson Jusko picked off the base runner on a perfect throw to Carson Gesing who tagged Hernandez out. Indy got out of the inning with Jonathon Todaro striking out the next Olympic batter.
The Patriots picked up another run in the bottom of the fourth. Bryson Jusko led off with a single to left field. Coach Skinner sent Owen Loker in as a courtesy runner for his catcher. Indy loaded the bases with Noah Howie being awarded first base after being hit by a pitch and Raja Milton drawing a walk. Loker scored on a Drew Harris sacrifice fly to center to make the score 7-0.
Indy started the bottom half of the fifth with quick outs. Carson Gesing flied out to right field, and Tate Peterman went down on strikes. CJ Brown drew a walk and stole second. Bryson Jusko reached on an error scoring Brown. Noah Howie doubled to center driving in Jusko making the score 9-0 at the end of five full innings.
Indy ended the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. Owen Loker led off with a walk and then stole second. With one out and Loker on second, Hoven Perez signaled to left field driving in Loker for the winning run.
Jonathon Todaro picked up the win for the Patriots. Todaro faced 20 Olympic batters striking out 9 and giving up 3 bases on balls. Todaro allowed only two hits in six full innings.
Olympic 000 000 X – 0
Patriots 420 121 X – 10
