In his first start of the season, senior Brian Hillhouse pitched six scoreless innings to lead the Colts to a 5-0 win over the visiting St. Charles Pirates.
Hillhouse who pitched a perfect game into the fourth inning said that he knew that it was going to be a good day on the mound before he threw the first pitch.
“Practice kind of tells me how I am going to pitch in the game. Today during warm ups I knew that I was going to feel good out there” Hillhouse said. “I just went out there, threw strikes, and did whatever I could to help our team win.”
After jumping out to a one run lead in the first, the Colts added three runs in the third and one in the fourth.
Senior Matt Hresko provided the Colts with four stolen bases, crossing the plate in the first inning after junior Johnny Naughton made contact, and later on a single from Hillhouse in the third.
According to Hresko, his speed is crucial in producing runs.
“Im not going to hit doubles or homeruns but I want to do what I can [on the base paths]. I try to get on base and put myself in scoring position so that someone can hit me in” Hresko said.
Junior, Matthew Bernstein allowed one hit in the seventh inning but closed the game without allowing a run in his varsity debut.
After the hit, Coach Ryan Connors came out to the mound to reassure Bernstein in his ability.
“I was nervous.” Bernstein said. “Connors came out and told me that it was what we wanted on the first pitch. He said they aren’t going to hit you and told me to just throw strikes.”
Senior catcher, Jordan Goldenberg cited the energy on the bench as a reason for the team’s success on the field.
“Everybody on this team has a job. Those guys [on the bench] get you going no matter what” Goldenberg said. “It’s nice knowing that they have our backs. They’ve got to know that we have there’s too.”
Varsity baseball returns to the field tomorrow at 4:15 to take on the visiting Parkway North Vikings.
Parkway North is led offensively by junior catcher, Garrett Taylor who has 10 hits in his first 13 at-bats, with two home runs, two doubles and 10 RBI according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch.
The Vikings were six outs away from claiming the class four state title last season. Junior Brady Feigl, who is the probable starting pitcher for the Colts, expects a close game.
There’s going to be a lot of good hitters in that lineup. I am going to have to work hard on the mound and we are going to have to work at the plate” Feigl said. It’s definitely going to be a battle.”
Feigl said that he is focused on bringing the heat, as he works better when getting ahead in the count.
“I need to establish a fastball. First pitch strikes are huge for me” Feigl said. “When I get ahead in the count I feel a lot more confident with my secondary stuff. I know that if I can get the ball over the plate and do what I can than I will be alright.”
Feigl is confident that the colts will prevail.
“I have all the confidence in this team” Feigl said. “We are going to put some runs up and win this game.”
