The Dragons used solid fielding and the are of Jake Stamer to beat Edgerton/SWC by a score of 2-0 last Tuesday in Adrian.
The Dragons looked to blow the game open in the first inning. The Dutchman starting pitcher struggled to throw strikes. After getting the lead off man out, Zach Hendel, Zack Loosbrock, and Nick Harder all drew walks. Mitchell Wagner then drew the fourth straight base on balls to score Hendel from third. The Dutchmen would make a pitching change. The relieving pitcher then struck out the next two Dragon batters to leave the bases loaded and keep the score at 1-0.
The bottom of the second saw the Dragons threaten again. Ryan Wieneke reached on an error by the short-stop. Stamer added a single to right. But the Dragons would strand both runners and the score remained 2-0.
The Dragons would tack on a run in the third inning. Harder led off with a double. Harder advanced to third on a wild pitch. Wagner would draw a walk putting runners on the corners. The Dragons tried a ‘leave early’ play, but it didn’t fool the Dutchmen. The pitcher stepped off, threw to the second baseman, who then threw home to catch Harder trying to steal a run. Wagner would advance to third base later on a wild-pitch and come in to score on a balk. Alex Loosbrock then walked, which was followed by a Nate Lonneman single. But the Dragons were unable to plate either runner, leaving the score at 2-0 after three.
The Dragons would go quietly in the fourth and fifth innings. The Dutchmen rallied in the sixth, loading the bases with two outs on two walks and a base-hit. But Stamer was able to induce a fly-ball that was caught by Harder in left field.
The Dragons couldn’t muster any offense in the sixth, stranding Lonneman (who walked) at third base. Stamer then pitched the seventh to finish off the game.
Stamer was the leading Adrian player on the day. Stamer pitched a complete game two-hitter to get the win. He was able to strike out 10 batters, while only walking two. Stamer also added a hit at the plate to his stellar day.
Wagner had an RBI and scored a run to lead the Dragon’s offense. Harder contributed with a double. Lonneman was able to collect the only other Dragon hit on the afternoon.
Adrian is now 7-2 (5-1 conference) on the season.
For more baseball see the May 10th issue of the Nobles County Review
