By Fred Kroner
The Spartans scored eight runs in the top of the sixth inning on Thursday (April 22) to post a win by the 10-run rule at Urbana. St. Joseph-Ogden prevailed 13-1.
SJ-O has allowed just three runs in a five-game span.
Andrew Beyers was the lone Spartan with more than one hit. He was 2-for-3. Crayton Burnett drove in three runs. Burnett, Alex Funk, Isaiah Immke and Ty Pence each scored two runs.
Zach Martinie had a two-RBI game.
Avian Gerdes picked up his first pitching win of the year. He allowed four singles in his five-inning stint, walking no one and striking out four. Jackson Rydell pitched a scoreless sixth inning.
The Spartans capped a 4-0 week on Friday (April 23) by rallying for a 10-7 eight-inning triumph at Teutopolis. It was the team’s third road victory in four days.
Hayden Brazelton became the first SJ-O player with a five-hit game this season, going 5-for-5. He scored three runs and drove in three runs.
Burnett ended with three hits and Immke contributed two hits. Both Burnett and Immke had doubles. Brazelton hit a double and a triple. Keaton Nolan and Burnett each knocked in two runs.
Martinie pitched the first three innings before yielding to Xander Rieches. Pence worked the final three innings, yielding one hit, no runs and striking out four.
Pence picked up his first varsity pitching victory.
SJ-O (7-0) returns to action on Tuesday (April 27) at Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley.
