B-E boys baseball jumps to 7-0 start

By PHIL JOHNSON
For The Weekly Post

Local high school baseball games began last Tuesday with some rare, very nice mid-March weather. Here’s a summary.
Brimfield-Elmwood

Brimfield-Elmwood (7-0) kept winning Monday with a 10-0 non-conference win at home vs. Henry. Austin Baysingar fired a complete pitching performance, striking out nine and allowing just two hits. B-E took advantage of six Henry errors and Jude Strahm, Kyle Binder and Jack Houlihan each clubbed a double.

“We’re playing together as a team and playing with a lot of confidence right now,” Coach Brandon Porter said. “The main issue we need to work on would be our two-strike approaches.”

The Indians traveled to Jacksonville last weekend for three games on the all-weather turf. In Friday’s first game, Frank Kelch fanned 11 and gave up three hits, followed by two scoreless innings from Levi Moon in an 8-0 win over Genoa-Kingston. Kelch also drove in three runs, while Drew Bryant launched a solo home run.

“Frank overpowered from the mound,” Porter said.

In Friday’s second game, B-E fell behind Sherrard 5-0 after two 2.5 innings, but exploded for 9 in the bottom of the third with a lot of bunting and running for a 9-5 victory. Caleb Tyre battled through rain on the bump and Eddie Peterson picked up the pitching win. Kelch drove in three. Kyle Binder and Houlihan each had two RBI.

On Saturday the Indians clobbered Hardin Calhoun 15-0 with four, five and six runs, respectively, in the first three innings. Michael Seibert allowed no baserunners while striking out seven. Baysingar cleared the bases with a home run. Landon Binder hit 2-for-2 with three RBI, and Drew Bryant was 2-for-3.

“Michael has pitched eight perfect innings thus far this season,” Porter said. “Landon Binder, a sophomore, has been a pleasant surprise.”

B-E topped Princeville last Thursday, 12-2, at home, helped by six scores in the first. Drew Kieser pitched a complete game with seven strikeouts. Kyle Binder broke out with a double and a home run. Brady Johnson drove in three.

The Indians won at Kewanee on March 16, 10-5. A five-run third was the difference. Bryant, Baysingar and Moon all pitched. Strahm and Johnson each drove in two, while Landon Binder had three hits.

The team opened March 15 with a 12-0 win over Midland at home. Seibert pitched five frames, fanning 11 and yielding no baserunners. Kieser threw two, striking out three.

B-E’s next action is Saturday at the Route 40 Invite vs. Rock Island Alleman, then Rushville.

ROWVA-Williamsfield

ROWVA-Williamsfield began 2022 play on Monday with a very efficient 5-0 win at home over non-conference foe Erie-Prophetstown. Jake McGarry got the win in three innings and tossed four strikeouts. Also pitching was Wyatt Self, who added four whiffs to his game resume.

Graham Wight hit 2-for-3 with two RBI. Parker Sornberger went 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI.

The Cougars next go to Jacksonville Friday and Saturday for round-robin play on the artificial turf.

Farmington

Farmington (0-3) lost Monday in a non-conference trip to Delavan, 12-1. A seven-run bottom of the third was fatal. Riley Embry and Zach Austin pitched. Delavan lashed 10 hits and four Farmers’ errors also hurt.

Embry had a double while Ethan Evans, Jace Crawford and Lane Wheelwright each stroked singles.

“We’re still working on catching up from a late start. We are going to keep working and hopefully everything will start clicking,” Coach Justin Begner said. “Riley is off to a good start with the bat. We’ll be looking for his hitting to rub off on the team.”

Farmington dropped a 5-1 Prairieland decision to Abingdon-Avon on the road last Thursday. FHS employed three pitchers: Embry fanned five, Wheelwright had four strikeouts and Kane Fox whiffed the A-Town side in the sixth.

“Our pitching looks to be progressing and should be a strength,” Begner said.

The Farmers began with an 11-1 loss at Chillicothe IVC on March 16. Embry had two hits and a round tripper. Austin Thompson, Gage Renkin and Zach Austin shared the pitching duties.

The Farmers are at Monmouth United today.

Princeville

Princeville’s 0-4 start has come against strong competition. The Princes fell to Tremont at home on Monday, 11-0. Centerfielder Conner Freres had the Princes’ lone hit.

“We feel we will hit our stride. In the first three games, we gave away too much, both mental and physical. Tremont drove the ball into gaps and also a three-run home run,” Coach Chris Delbridge said.

Princeville lost 12-2 to non-conference rival Brimfield-Elmwood on the road last Thursday. Seven PHS errors did not help Princeville. Freres led with two hits.

Ted Fritzenmeier threw two frames, striking out two and walking two. Gage DeVries allowed five hits but whiffed five in 3.1 innings.

PHS lost 13-1 to Bureau Valley at home last Wednesday. After trailing just 3-0 after four, Princeville gave up 10 in the next three innings.

Parker Dickinson pitched well in 4.1 innings with three earned runs and four strikeouts. DeVries had the only hit for the Princes.

Princeville also traveled to non-conference opponent Eureka on March 15 and lost, 10-0. Griffin Crear tossed two innings, yielding three hits.

PHS next faces Henry at home on Saturday in non-conference play.