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American National Varsity (18-Under) Baseball Were 27-12 as of July 7
By Jim Wieners
American National Baseball, varsity (18 and under level) has won at least 24 games, overall, prior to July 7, to go with 12 losses and at the same time was 10-4 in the St. Louis Amateur Baseball Association.
That includes a 5-2 record in the Medlock Tournament June 18-21, 4-1 in the Bourbonnais, Ill., tournament June 24-26, and was 0-4 in the Metro East Tournament in Granite City, Ill., July 1-2 American National was to play July 9-11 but results were not available at press time.
The season is coming to an end within a week and the SLABA Playoffs are scheduled this weekend, dates and sites undetermined at press time. Post-season tournaments, dates and sites to be announced, will follow the season.
Managed by Bill Becher, with Bob Hruby and Pat Stinnett as coaches, the majority of players on the team are from Hazelwood West High School (five players) and Hazelwood Central High School (three), according to the American National Baseball Website. Players from Hazelwood West include Mike Fisher, Kyle Manis, Mike Schoo, Brandon Thiel, and Robert Wright while the players from Hazelwood Central are Ryan Crandall, Mike Eagan and Jimmy Timmerberg. Other players include Brian Hruby and Geoff Nesbitt (Pattonville), Zach Burnett (Lutheran North), Mike Hardin (Trinity Catholic), Zach Speckhals (Hermann) and Jeff Schroeder.
American National has scored over six runs per game while allowing four per game.
Wright has been batting .425, an on-base percentage of .529, scored at least 31 runs, had 48 hits including 11 doubles, drove in at least 33 runs, has walked at least 23 walks and stolen as least 15 bases in 17 attempts. Crandall has a slugging percentage of .586, scored at least 26 runs, has at least 23 hits including 14 doubles, at least 23 RBIs and stole 14 bases in 15 attempts. Fisher has at least 147 plate appearances, at least 127 at bats, has at least 73 total bases, three triples, three home runs and has sacrificed a six times (prior to July 8), Timmerberg has at least 14 stolen bases in 14 attempts and hit at least three triples and Nesbitt has been hit by pitch at least 14 times.
Pitching wise Brian Hruby has pitched in at least eight games, completed in six games he started (at least six wins to one loss), has an earned run average of 1.11, has struck out at least 45 and opposing teams’ batters have hit only .190. Wright (4-2) in six games started (four of them completed) has at least 44 strikeouts. Egan (4-2), in at least eight games, seven stars including five competed games, has at least 42 strikeouts and has an ERA of 2.08
In fielding Nesbitt has at least 203 put outs while Hruby has at least 181. In assists Crandall has at least 75 while Timmerberg has at least 51.
JUNIORS- American National has a 21-15 record, 8-7 in SLABA prior to July 11 and their schedule was to close July 13. American National has scored over seven runs per game while allowing just less than six per game. That includes a 4-1 record in the Medlock Tournament, July 2-5, but was 0-4 in the Pastime Tourney, June 3-6, and 1-1 in Evansville, Ind., July 9-10. Lance Hartwig is the manager and Mark Dertinger is the coach.
SOPHOMORES- American National, prior to July 8, has a 19-15 overall record but has a 10-2 SLABA record. Their season was to end July 14. They have scored over six runs per game while allowing over five per game. They were 4-0 in the Sullivan, Mo., Tournament, 2-2 at the Ozzie Smith Sports Complex (O’Fallon, Mo.) May 29-30 as well as at C and H Park (St. Peters, Mo.) June 18-20, 1-3 in a tournament at Hazelwood West High, July 2-4, and 0-4 in Indianapolis, June 25-26. Ron Buenger is the manager.
JUNIOR VARSITY – American National was 11-26 overall, 3-8 in SLABA, prior to July 12. The season was slated to end July 14. They were 1-3 in the Medlock Tournament, June 18-20, was 1-3 in Bourbonnais, Ill. (Olivet Nazarene), June 24-26, was 0-4 at Bethalto, Ill., Sports Complex July 1-2 and was 3-2 in Evansville, Ind., July 9-11. They have scored less than six runs per game while allowing less than nine per game. Greg Viehman is the manager; Al Olmstead, John Bollinger and Mike Stolte are the coaches.
