Huskies shut down La Salle after two-run first; claim 4-2 win
MILWAUKIE - After a two-run popup homerun in the first inning, Brock Breshears kept the La Salle lineup scoreless through the final six innings, as North Marion defeated the Falcons 4-2 on Monday evening. Breshears did give up ten hits, but the Huskies defense stepped in when needed to propel the Huskies to the thrilling victory. After both teams went 2-0 in the first week of league play, North Marion (7-5, 3-0) kept up their winning ways while handing La Salle (9-4, 2-1) their first loss.
In the home-half of the first, Breshears hit the leadoff batter. With one out in the inning, La Salle catcher Grant Studdard popped up to left field. However, with the shallow outfield fences at La Salle Prep, the would-be routine fly out turned into a two-run homer and an early La Salle lead.
Afrer recording a hit in both the first and second innings, North Marion finally got on the board in the third inning. Brock Breshears and Kyle Williamson were both walked before Tristan Wampole loaded the bases with an infield single. Wyatt Moore drove in the first run on a bloop single down the right field line. Another infield single by Keltin Boykin scored another run, tying the game at two. Putting a cap on the frame's scoring, Nat Barrell hit a sac-fly to left field, scoring Wampole and giving North Marion the 3-2 edge.
The Huskies were held hitless in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, but they padded their one-run lead in the seventh by adding an insurance run. Wampole smashed a double to deep center field, and Kyle Williamson came around to score.
North Marion's defense was on their game for the most part, evidenced by ten hits allowed with only two runs scoring. Moore - starting at third base for the first time this season - had a highlight-worthy grab on a line drive at third to go along with a pair of foul-territory catches. Breshears picked off a baserunner at a key point in the fifth. Williamson, Patterson, and Wampole put together an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play to end the Falcons' sixth. Williamson and Moore also had several solid defensive plays on the left side of the infield. A culmination of solid defense and efficient pitching guided the Huskies to the win.
Breshears (5-0, 0.57) picked up the win on the mound after surrendering ten hits, but only two runs. Brock struck out three while just walking one. Sean Hays started on the mound for the Falcons and went 6 1/3 innings while giving up four runs and six hits.
Tristan Wampole recorded two hits on the day and picked up an RBI in the process. Wampole was also on the back end of eight put outs, including several great catches at first. Moore, Boykin, and Barrell also picked up RBIs on the day.
After Monday's victory, La Salle and North Marion are set to reconvene on the Bob Brack Stadium diamond on Wednesday for a 5:00pm matchup in the continuation of the three-game season series.