(Atlantic) Clarinda topped Atlantic 12-3 behind solid pitching and hitting from Michael Shull. The junior struck out six batters, walked one, and hit a batter, in 4 1/3 innings and helped his own cause at the plate with a double and two singles.
“Shull was good tonight,” said Clarinda Head Coach Rod Eberly. “He threw strikes, attacked the zone, and when he’s in the zone and gets his off speed over the plate, he’s tough to handle.”
Cooper Neal finished the game on the hill for the Cardinals. “Shull and Neal made their inaugural appearances on the hill and we needed to get them some work,” said Eberly. “They both threw strikes and had a lot on their pitches.”
The Cardinals backed up the defense with solid hitting scoring 12 runs on eleven hits.
“Atlantic’s pitcher threw strikes and we put the ball on the ground and that makes a big difference rather that popping the ball up,” said Eberly. “We emphasize that and we can run a little bit. We got off to a good start- had good plate approaches, got on base and put pressure on the defense.”
Besides Shull’s three hits, Cooper Neal and Jon McCall belted three hits each, Jake Childs laced two singles, and Jarod McNeese, Logan Green, and Wyatt Schmitt each stroked base knockes for the Cardinals now 2-1 on the season.
Atlantic scored three runs on four hits. Grant Sturm led Atlantic with a double and a single. Wyatt Redinbaugh hit a double, and Ethan Sturm singled for the Trojans now 1-2 on the season.
“We had four errors in the first two innings and that will kill you every time,” stated Atlantic Head Coach Joe Brummer. “We had plenty of guys reach base, but we didn’t capitalize when we needed to. Clarinda pitched well and threw a lot of strikes. They jumped on the fast ball and are certainly well-coached.”
The Cardinals bolted out of the gate with two runs in the top of the first inning. Shull doubled, Parker Rock walked, and both scored on errors. The Trojans answered with one run in the bottom of the frame. Grant Sturm doubled and scored from third on an errant throw to the pitcher. However, the visitors extended their lead with four runs in the bottom of the second inning that set the tone for the remainder of the contest.
Atlantic’s largest threat came in the 5th inning with two runs on three hits. Grant Sturm and Lane Nelson each drove in a run, and Wyatt Redinbaugh drilled a double. But Cooper Neal kept the Trojans offense at bay to seal the win for the Cardinals.
Atlantic is off until Monday when they host St. Albert a game we will have on 95.7 F.M. Pre-game starts at 7:15. Clarinda plays at Denison on Friday and East Mills Saturday.
