By FRED KRONER
The Spartans opened the baseball season this week with impressive non-conference victories over two Big 12 Conference opponents.
On Monday (April 12), St. Joseph-Ogden decisioned Centennial 9-5. On Wednesday (April 14), SJ-O blitzed Danville, 17-1. Both games were hosted by SJ-O.
The Spartans’ starting pitchers in those games collectively issued no walks and struck out 16 batters in seven innings pitched.
University of Illinois recruit Crayton Burnett worked four innings against the Chargers, allowing three hits and one earned run. Junior Hayden Brazelton pitched three perfect innings against the Vikings.
Tyler Altenbaumer struck out all three batters he faced in closing out the seventh inning against Centennial.
Coby Miller crushed home runs in each game and drove in a combined six runs in those contests.
Burnett, a senior, homered and knocked in three runs against Danville.
Brazelton knocked doubles in both games. Ty Pence, in his high school debut in baseball, was 2-for-4 and drove in two runs against Centennial.
Andrew Beyers had a two-hit performance for SJ-O against Danville and teammate Zach Martinie also delivered two hits against the Vikings.
Keaton Nolan stole three bases against Centennial.
SJ-O (2-0) returns to action on Wednesday (April 21) at home against Tri-Valley.
