Crusaders get dramatic 9th inning win

BY CHUCK VANDENBERG

PCC EDITOR

WEST POINT - A dramatic ninth inning including three straight singles by Holy Trinity Catholic gave the Crusaders a 4-3 win over hot Cardinal of Eldon Monday night at South Park.

With the game knotted at 3, sophomore Reed Fehseke grounded out to third to start the bottom of the ninth. But Collin Thornton who went 3-for-5 in the contest, singled, Vasin Thurman followed with a single that moved Thornton into scoring position and Cole Thornton then laced the game winner to right to score his brother from third.

Jason Thurman came into the contest on the mound for HTC in the fifth inning in relief and shut down Cardinal giving up just two hits on six strikeouts and no runs.

Kadin Medland started on the mound and went just over three innings giving up one earned run on three hits and two walks. Bredemeyer came in in relief in the fourth and got the final two outs of the inning.

In the top of the fifth, Bredemeyer fanned Cardinal's Blaine Bryant, but then plunked two consecutive hitters and advanced the runners on a wild pitch before Wyatt Gatton singled to center to score two runs.

Jason Thurman came in and picked off Gatton at first and then got Cameron Honomichi to fan to end the threat with the game tied at 3.

Thurman then settled in and kept the Cardinal hitters off the paths for most of the rest of the game.

"Kadin started the game pitching and did a great job throwing strikes and getting on top of the batter," head coach Albert Schinstock said. "Both Kyle and Jason did an excellent job in relief. Our pitchers held a very good offensive team to just five hits on the night."

HTC scored it's three runs in the bottom of the fourth when Bredemeyer drew a lead-off walk. and moved to second on Garrett Hannum's single to left field. Senior Zander Schweiss fanned on three straight pitches, but Bredemeyer and Hannum were able to move up on a passed ball.

Quentin Schneider then reached on fielder's choice that Bredemeyer beat out at home, moving Hannum to third. Schneider swiped second with Hannum holding everyone's attention at third, and the Hannum was plated on a throwing error to give HTC a 2-1 lead.

Schneider moved to third on a passed ball and then scored when Thurman drove one up the middle with only one out. Fehseke fanned, but Thurman got to second on a stolen base and then advanced to third on Collin Thornton's second single of the game. Vasin Thurman would strike out to end the inning leaving two men stranded.

"The boys played a great game tonight," Schinstock said. "Offensively, we put the ball in play. Both Thornton boys dominated tonight at the plate. Collin went 3 for 5 with three singles and Cole got the big hit to win the game. It's great to see our young players stepping up and getting the big hits and making plays."

Cardinal opened the season with an 11-4 win over HTC back on May 21 and have beaten the likes of New London, Burlington Notre Dame and West Burlington this season.

The Crusaders' (4-8) stretch of five games in five nights continues Tuesday night with a trip to Central Lee. They play at Pekin Wednesday night before hosting Danville Thursday and Winfield-Mt. Union on Friday.