Published: May 11, 2008 01:50 am         

Toppers, Pats split at Invite

DANVILLE — The Schlarman Hilltoppers closed out the Schlarman baseball invitational in thrilling fashion Saturday by battling back with two runs in the top of the eighth inning to claim a 6-4 victory over the Southeast Springfield Spartans at Garfield Park.

It was an up and down day for the Hilltoppers who were closed down in game 1 6-1 by Seeger and pitcher Tyler Ware.

“We really struggled the first game and let down emotionally after winning last night,” said Schlarman coach Jason Woodworth. “We scratched in a couple of runs in the eighth and got a win. It was a good lift for us as you don’t want a losing streak going into the postseason.”

Sophomore Alex Muehl made his first varsity start against the Spartans and went six plus innings giving up four runs with six strikeouts. Michael Kasper went the final three innings and got out of bases loaded jams in the sixth and seventh.

“Alex did a great job and threw strikes and we were able to make some plays behind him,” Woodworth said. Michael did the job getting out of the jams and gave us enough to get the win by also holding them down in the eighth.”

Heath Goodwin and Aaron Lewellyn led the way offensively, both going 2-for-3 with Goodwin getting the game winning RBI in the eighth inning.

The Hilltoppers got out to a quick 2-0 lead keyed by an RBI double from Kasper. The Spartans answered back and took a 3-2 lead in the top of the third.

The Hilltoppers tied the score in their half of the fourth on a fielders choice from Tommy Petersak, and took the lead in the top of the sixth on an RBI pinch hit single from Chris Fries.

The Spartans tied the score at 4-4 in the bottom of the seventh. Hits by Vinnie Miller, Lewellyn, Goodwin, and Scott Showers accounted for the winning runs.

“Vinnie and Aaron bat in the four five holes for us so we look to them to produce for us and they came through with big hits leading off the eighth,” Woodworth said. “Goodwin got a key hit and Showers beat out that infield hit to add an insurance run. When you lose a lead late you want to jump right back on them and we were able to do so.”

In the first game, Ware went the distance and struck out 14 Hilltoppers. He allowed four hits and walked two.

“I was able to get ahead with my fastball and kept them off balance,” he said. “I was able to use my curve ball to get strikeouts and this season I’ve been able to get a lot of strikeouts, but you cant always get strikeouts. I trust my defense, and they made the plays behind me.”

“Tyler pitched very well today,” said Patriots coach Brent Rademacher. “He mixed speeds well and had good command. We can be a very good team when we are making plays and we made some in this game.”

Reed Foxworthy and Scott Moore led the way at the plate. Foxworthy went 3-for-4 and Moore was 2-for-3 with two RBIs.

“Reed is a senior, a good leader and a solid ball player,” Rademacher said. “Scott is a sophomore and one of our better hitters. He has alot of tools and hasn’t made an error in the field all year.”

The play of Kyle Golden and Zane Dillon were the highlights for the Hilltoppers. Golden started and went the distance and was able to hold the Patriots scoreless over the last three innings.

Golden also helped his own cause going 2–for-3 at the plate and drove in the lone Schlarman run. Dillon was 1-for-2 and on base three times.

“Kyle swung the bat well and got his control on the mound which kept us in the game,” Woodsworth said. “Ware threw a great game for them and we just didn’t overall play very well.”

The Patriots then lost to the Spartans 6-3. Springfield got out to a quick 5-1 lead before Ware unleashed a towering home run to make the score 5-3 in the bottom of the third. But the game was a study in what might have been for the Patriot,s who left the bases loaded in the fifth and sixth innings.

“This is really all there is to this game,” Rademacher said. “We left on too many baserunners.”

Kyle Noerenberg started for the Patriots and went 5 and 2/3 innings allowing five runs. Eric Hopper finished up and allowed one run. Ware led the way offensive going 1-for-2 with 2 RBIs and was on base three times.

Vance Stawaley added a 2-for-4 effort and an RBI for the Patriots, who are now 10-8 on the season and next play Tuesday at home against Tri-County.

The Hilltoppers are now 18-10-1 on the season and next play Monday against Danville. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at Danville Stadium.