Greyhounds dominate Dons, Pirates on baseball field

By Harry Toufar Saturday morning, the Loyal Greyhounds traveled to Marshfield to take on the Columbus Catholic Dons. On paper and from past experiences, it looked to be a hard-fought baseball game. For two innings, it was shaping up to be just that, as bats for both teams were as cold as the wind that was circling around Safford Field.

Dons starter Carson Eckes flirted with danger for the first two innings, but was able to keep the Greyhounds off the scoreboard. Even though he struck out four batters, his pitch count was rising as the Hounds were being very patient at the plate.

Things started to unravel in the top of the third inning. Adam Kautzer led off the inning with a walk. Cain Toufar hit a grounder that was heading for a sure force out at second. However, Kautzer was called safe, as the umpire said the second baseman did not have contact with the bag. A base running error caused Kautzer to be tagged out going to third. Toufar moved up to second on the play and moved to third on a wild pitch. Rhett Lamovec then hit a grounder to the shortstop, who elected to try and get Toufar going home. The throw was high, allowing Toufar to score with Lamovec moving up to second on the error.

Colten Sandelier then hit a hot grounder which handcuffed the third baseman, allowing Lamovec to score. Tryn Scheel and Jonah Vircks both had RBI singles to round out the scoring for the Hounds. Carter Sommer took over Columbus’ pitching duties in the top of the fourth inning. Usually Sommer has good control, but that was not the case this time around, as he issued four free passes in the inning. Rogan Ashbeck reached first on another Don error. Kautzer walked, putting two runners on. Again, a Greyhound base running blunder caused a runner to be tagged out at third. Toufar walked, followed by a Lamovec single which plated a run. Sandelier walked, loading the bases for Hunter Walter. Walter worked the count full before drawing a walk, which brought in a run. Scheel followed with a scorching double to the gap, bringing in two more runs. Vircks doubled, scoring Scheel. All of a sudden, Loyal was up by nine. Meanwhile Andy Petkovsek was stymying the Dons from the mound while his defense was turning three double plays behind him. Kautzer led off the fifth with a single, later scoring on a Lamovec double. Columbus stayed in the game as Rocco Mayer led off the bottom half of the fifth with a walk. Loyal made a pitching change, bringing in Sandelier. A fielder’s choice and a walk loaded the bases. A deep sacrifice fly to right brought in the runner from third. Sandelier settled down by striking out the number nine batter and coaxing a soft ground ball for the third out.

In the top of the sixth, Sommer got two quick outs before Ashbeck reached on yet another Dons error. That was followed by a Kautzer walk. Toufar then sent a screaming ground ball toward the second baseman, who booted it into short centerfield, allowing Ashbeck to score. Sandelier retired the side in the bottom half of the inning, giving the Hounds a win shortened to six innings via the 10-run rule. Loyal took the victory, 11-1.

Lamovec led Loyal, going 3-4 with two RBIs. Scheel was 2-4 with two RBIs. Vircks went 2-3 with two RBIs. Sandelier and Walter each contributed an RBI.

Andy Petkovsek picked up the win, giving up just one hit and one run while striking out two and walking one. Sandelier pitched two scoreless innings in relief, striking out two. Loyal increases their record to 8-0 on the season (5-0 in the Eastern Cloverbelt Conference).

Against Gilman Earlier in the week, the Greyhounds shut out the Gilman Pirates twice by scores of 5-0 and 6-0. On Tuesday the 29th, Lamovec struck out nine batters at home in four innings. He walked two and hit one batter. Petkovsek struck out three batters in three innings , walking one. Walter had a big night, going 3-4 with three RBIs. Sandelier and Ashbeck each knocked in one run.

On Thursday, the Hounds traveled to Gilman. Toufar pitched a complete game, giving up just one hit. He did not allow a run, while striking out three batters and walking two. Lamovec wielded the big stick, going 2-4 with a home run and driving in three runs. Walter went 2-4 with two RBIs.