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American National 18 Baseball Off to 12-5 Start, 2-2 in SLABA 18
By Jim Wieners
American National 18 and under Baseball is off to a 12-5 start as of June 24 but was 11-5 through June 14 as inclement weather has limited the team to one game played June 15-24.
Most of American National’s home games are played at the Hazelwood Sports Complex, off Aubuchon and Teson Roads near the Missouri River. Record June rainfall had closed Aubuchon road at some times as of June 27.
American National had also been playing home games at Lutheran High School North on higher ground nearby Interstate 70.
Only four St. Louis Amateur Baseball Association games were played by American National 18 as of June 24. American National’s wins were over Capitals 18 Gold (10-0) and Southside DB 18 (7-0) while the SLABA losses were to Blazers 18 (4-3) and Stallions 18 Red (8-4). The Blazers 18 won 10-2 over American National 18 in an Illinois tournament title game June 7 at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.
American National 18 was also 3-1 in a tournament played June 13-14 against unnamed teams and unnamed sites. In non league and non tournament games against mentioned teams American National has a win over Blazers 18 (4-1) two wins over Lemay American Legion Seniors (12-10 and 11-1) and a loss to Dirt Bags 18 (8-7).
American National 18 has scored 136 runs and led SLABA 18 with an average of 7.6 runs prior to June 25. They also gave up 84 runs a 4.7 average.
Offensively Mitchell Brown was batting .568, has a .612 on base percentage and slugging 773 with 44 runs scored, 25 hits including seven doubles and drove in 17 runs. Jon Hardy has 16 walks and seven stolen bases in eight attempts. So far no home runs were hit as of June 24.
In pitching Connor Burnett, Ethan Wallace and Josh White were each 2-0 through June 24. Wallace has not allowed an earned run and just one unearned run. Hunter Martin has struck out 14 batters while White struck out 11.
In fielding Matt Mellring played a role in 62 outs by putting out 53 while Adam White has 33 assists in 58 outs he played in.
16 AND UNDER — American National 16 has played 25 games through June 28 and has an overall recored of 11-14 but their 6-4 record in SLABA 16 has American National in third place. American National 16 is coming off a 1-3 tournament weekend June 26-28, opened the season by going 3-2 in a tournament that was played May 22-24 at Founders Park and was at least 1-2 in a June 12-14 tournament. American National 16 has scored the most runs (131) in SLABA 16 but has allowed the most (159).
Offensively Dmitri Frank was batting .409 had a .506 on base percentage and was slugging .485 with 27 hits including 22 singles and has driven in 21 runs. Melchizedeck Williams and Trevor Keathley has scored 22 runs each, Williams has stolen 22 bases in 23 attempts, Keathley has been hit by pitch 12 times while Ethan Purghan and David Kinnison each walked 11 times.
In pitching Frank has started five games and completed four of them with a 3-2 record, a 0.88 earned run average and has struck out 38 batters. In fielding Sal Pellerito played a role in 106 outs by putting out 91 while commiting just two errors and Blake Vaughn has 31 assists.
15 AND UNDER — Only seven game results were availble from American National 15 as of June 24, with a 4-3 record, not counting a June 18 game against Tigers 15 Black, was 1-1 in a tournament played June 13 and was 3-2 in SLABA 15.
Offensively Tommy Rupp was batting .381 and slugging .429 with seven hits, Jordan Adams has an on base percentage of .571 with five walks and Josh Inman has scored five runs. In pitching Egan Biggs has eight strikeouts.
17 AND UNDER — Only two results were available for American National 17, losses in SLABA 17 to Tigers 17 on June 4 (8-0) and to Freeburg, Ill., 17 (1-5). Other results were not available.
