Panthers split games over past week

By Fred Kroner

St. Joseph dropped a 2-0 baseball decision in a junior high game at Tolono Unity on Wednesday (Aug. 16).

The Panthers out-hit their opponent, 4-2. The St. Joseph hits were registered by Lucas Barton, Kiptyn Rosenthal, Jasper Snyder and Ryder Van Meenen.

For the second time in five days, Van Meenen suffered a hard-luck loss. Both of his losses came in games where St. Joseph was shutout.

In the nine innings he has pitched thus far, Van Meenen has permitted just one earned run (and three total runs). He struck out eight Unity batters and walked one.

On Thursday (Aug. 17), Van Meenen, Brock Franzen and Hunter Cler all knocked two hits and accounted for 11 RBI as the Panthers dispatched Oakwood, 22-1, at Newtown.

St. Joseph put up 16 runs in the top of the first inning. Van Meenen and Franzen each totaled four RBI. Barton, Isaiah Reynolds and Ike Shelato all drove in two runs.

Rosenthal, Trey Divan and Landon May scored two runs apiece. Rosenthal stole two bases.

Shelato pitched a three-inning complete game, scattering three singles. He walked one batter and truck out five in picking up his first win of the season.

St. Joseph (3-3) is scheduled to return to action on Saturday (Aug. 26) at Teutopolis.