No. 1 Brandywine tops Cassopolis

Published 7:08 pm Wednesday, May 6, 2009

By By DON EDEN / Vigilant/Argus
NILES – Brandywine senior pitcher Dan Reidenbach popped the corners to pitch a no-hitter in five innings Tuesday in the second game after classmate Taylor Ort bested Lakeland Conference rival Cassopolis in the opener as the Bobcats won by ten runs in each game with 14-4 and 10-0 scores respectively.
"Reidenbach is the best pitcher we have seen and Ort is close to the Magro kid from Bridgman," indicated Cassoplis coach Dan Purlee. "Brandywine is a good team that can make you look bad, but we didn't play like we are capable as our pitching and defense have been solid until tonight."
The Rangers looked bad from the start as Brandywine opened with nine runs in the initial inning as the potent batting lineup of eight hitters with over a .350 batting average sent star senior pitcher Nic Davis off the mound after facing a dozen hitters as Dwayne Morgan finished the final out.
"Brandywine is the best team we have played hands down and seem to be more impressive than last year and can go a long way in the postseason just like Berrien Springs a couple years ago," continued Purlee.
Davis prolonged the outcome in the opener with a line drive home run over the center field fence in the fifth inning for a 13-4 deficit and also added a double for the Rangers.
Reidenbach (who is nicknamed Dbach) led the hitting barrage for the Bobcats with a pair of doubles and three RBIs with junior Jesse McCombs collecting a trio of singles and stolen bases.
The nightcap was dominated by "Dbach" as the only baserunner was on base by an error with nine batters being called out on three strikes.
"I am very happy with the team, but hope we finish off the season with a state title as last year ended with a lot of unending things that we want to avoid this year," stated Reidenbach. "The pitching is going good, but need more clutch hits since everybody can hit good."
Reidenbach's repertoire of pitches includes a four and two seam fastball that can touch the 90s, a good curveball, changeup and cutter that Lake Michigan College, Spring Arbor, Central Michigan and Western Michigan coaches would like to utilize next year.
"Dan had a good game and by not walking anybody impressed me the most," said Brandywine coach Dave Sidenbender. "The kids are hungry to be a good team and want to go a long way as we can be as good as we were last year if we pitch and execute."
Senior Dominique Pompey of Brandywine provided the power in the second game with a prestigious blast for a grand slam in the first inning and added a double later in the game as the Bobcats had a baker's dozen of base hits altogether.
"All I want is a state title and hope to pitch in that final championship game," concluded Reidenbach.
First game
Cassopolis 011 020 – 4 3 4
Brandywine 911 201 – 14 16 3
(CA) Nic Davis, Dwayne Morgan (1), Ryne Nickel (4) and Rick Hayden. (BR) Taylor Ort, Dustin Bell (5) and Will Coar.
(CA) Davis 2b, HR; (BR) Dan Reidenbach 2 2b, Dominique Pompey 2b, Taylor Ort 2b, Mikel Lindzy 2b.
Second game
Cassopolis 000 00 – 0 0 2
Brandywine 432 1x – 10 13 1
(CA) Jackson Conner and Rick Hayden; (BR) Dan Reidenbach and Will Coar.
(BR) Dominique Pompey 2b, HR; Taylor Ort 2b, Derek Nichols 2b.
Varsity records: Cassopolis 4-10, 4-6 Lakeland Conference, Brandywine 17-1, 7-1 Lakeland Conference