Bobcats split in opener
Published 5:54 pm Saturday, April 7, 2012
Brandywine catcher Austin Searles prepares to put the tag on a Parchment runner at home plate Saturday afternoon. The Panthers, ranked No. 5 in the preseason poll, defeated the Bobcats 2-0. (Daily Star Photo/SCOTT NOVAK)
A lack of offensive production kept the Brandywine Bobcats from earning a sweep at its own round robin tournament Saturday.
The Bobcats defeated New Buffalo 3-2 in the first game, but fell to No. 5-ranked Parchment in the second game, 2-0.
The Panthers defeated New Buffalo 11-1 in five innings in the second game of the tournament.
Brandywine (1-1) managed just three hits off of Parchment pitcher Jay Topp, who went the distance for the victory.
Alex Erwin worked into the seventh inning and took the loss. Michael Schoenleber, who picked up the victory in relief in the first game, worked the final third of an inning for the Bobcats.
The Panthers (6-0) strung together a couple of hits in the fourth inning to score the game’s first run and then got a bases loaded walk off Erwin for their second run.
The Bobcats’ best chance to score came in the sixth inning when Buck Bourdon was hit by a pitch, Austin Searles singled and a throwing error put runners at second and third with two outs.
Topp worked out of the jam with a strikeout.
In the first game, Brandywine scored single runs in the first, third and seventh innings to pick up the victory.
Bourdon was 3-for-4 with a double, while Erwin was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBIs.
Kyle Duncan made the start and worked into the fourth inning before giving way to Schoenleber.
“Overall I was pleased with our pitching and defense,” Brandywine coach David Sidenbender said. “Offensively we have to work harder at attacking the right pitches and moving the ball more consistently.
“This being our first games though, I cant complain too much. We played two quality opponents right out of the gate and had a chance to win both so 1-1 isn’t too bad.”
Brandywine Round Robin
First game
New Buffalo 000 110 0 – 2 6 1
Brandywine 101 000 1 – 3 8 2
Kyle Duncan (W), Michael Schoenleber (5); Buckner (L)
2B: Buck Bourdon (BW)
Second game
Parchment 000 100 1 – 2 5 0
Brandywine 000 000 0 – 0 3 1
Jay Topp (W); Alex Erwin (L), Michael Schoenleber (7)
Varsity records
Parchment 6-0, Brandywine 1-1
