Blog

By Jim Wieners

After opening the North County Classic March 26 with a 2-0 eight-inning victory at Lutheran North Hazelwood Central returned home March 31 to defeat Trinity Catholic, 3-1, and Suburban North Conference rival Ritenour, 11-2. Between the games of the North County Classic Hazelwood Central won a Suburban North Conference game March 29 at Hazelwood East, 10-0 called after five innings, and lost March 27 at McCluer North, 4-3.

Hazelwood Central was 4-1, 1-1 in the Suburban North prior to the April 2 home game against Hazelwood East.

“I’m proud of the kids,” said Hazelwood Central head coach Van Vanatta. “I’m putting something together.”

The Hazelwood Central-Lutheran North game was a pitcher’s duel as the two teams combined for 32 strikeouts. Hazelwood Central pitching gave up only one hit and winning pitcher Jonathan Harris — who gave up the only hit, a Troy Guffey double — struck out 15 and allowed the game’s only walk — to pitching opponent Conner Buenger, who also gave up only one hit while striking out 14. Hazelwood Central scored two unearned runs on two hits, aided by at least a Lutheran North error, in the eighth inning to win.

Against Trinity Hazelwood Central Derek Watson was the winning pitcher and the Hawk defense slammed the door on the Titans on a game-ending double play. Vanatta also said timely Hawk hits helps.

Against Ritenour winning pitcher Noble Hampton was aided by the Hawk offense that had nine hits (other stats were not available as of April 1). “Pitching has been good to us,” said Vanatta who also mentioned the Hawk earned run average is fewer than 2.00.

Lutheran North rebounded from their eight-inning loss to Hazelwood Central with a pair of March 31 routs. North rolled over Hazelwood East, 13-0, and University City, 12-2, and both were called in the fifth inning, to take consolation honors.

Against Hazelwood East Buenger scored twice and drove in two runs while D.J. Johnson allowed one hit while striking out nine. Against University City C.J. Lewis had a pair of doubles, two stolen bases and scored two runs while Buenger struck out five.

McCluer split two games against Riverview Gardens, winning 20-10 and losing 14-9. In the final rounds of the North County Classic March 31 McCluer took third place over Trinity Catholic, 2-0, after losing the semifinal game to Ritenour, 9-1.