The outcome of the BSM boys’ baseball team’s home opener was never really in question; the Red Knights breezed past the Columbia Heights Hylanders by a score of 6-0, thanks largely to their dominating pitching, giving up only one hit over the course of the game.
Making his first varsity start, senior David Forschler pitched spectacularly, giving up only one hit and striking out five in four innings. “[Forschler] just pumped strikes into the zone,” said head coach Greg Hoemke. “Columbia Heights was over-matched by his fastball.”
Senior Nick Woelfel relieved Forschler in the fifth, pitching three innings and allowing no hits to earn his first save of the season. “We won because we didn’t walk anyone,” said Coach Hoemke. “That was the key.”
The Red Knights took the lead early in the contest, scoring three runs in the first inning. Sophomore Patrick Daly came home after senior Kevin Kosiek was thrown out, and shortly thereafter junior Brendan Rooney picked up two RBI’s with a base hit to left-center field.
The Red Knights continued their offensive outburst in the bottom of the fifth, adding two runs to bring the score to 6-0. Kosiek and junior Mike Juberian both doubled, and junior Bo Selleck picked up an RBI on a groundout to the pitcher.
“We had smart at-bats,” said Coach Hoemke. “We beat Columbia Heights’ pitching because we were patient enough to take walks.”
The Red Knights continued their winning ways with a 6-4 non-conference victory over the Wayzata Trojans on April 11. BSM put Wayzata’s hard-throwing, Bradley University-bound ace Andy Johnson to the test, compiling six hits and nine walks over the course of the game.
Junior Brendan Rooney started the game for the Red Knights, pitching five innings and allowing only two runs on three hits. “[Rooney] kept their guys off balance,” said Hoemke. “He used all of his pitches, and for the most part kept his curveball down.”
Senior captain Charlie Perrine’s RBI single in the third provided the Red Knights with an early 2-0 lead, but Wayzata quickly clawed their way back with a two-run home run by Zach Trygstad in the bottom of the third.
The teams remained tied until the fifth, when Red Knight senior David Naughtin launched a solo home run to left field to give the Red Knights the lead. BSM further increased its lead in the top of the seventh, capitalizing on two Wayzata errors to bring the lead to 6-2.
Wayzata put up a valiant fight in the bottom of the seventh, scoring two runs on four hits, but BSM senior Steve Kaminski turned a double play to end the game.
Though it is still early in the season, Hoemke has high hopes for this years’ team. “The ultimate goal is to rack up enough wins to get back to the final four in sections,” said Coach Hoemke.
This win brings the Red Knights’ record to 2-1, and they will look to continue their winning streak against North Suburban Conference foes North Branch, Irondale, and Spring Lake Park this week.
