The La Porte High School baseball team only managed four hits vs Griffith, but took full advantage of the Panther’s generosity to win Friday night’s matchup 11-1 in five innings at Schreiber Field. Griffith pitchers walked twelve and hit four batters while their defense committed six errors.  

 

The Panthers jumped out to 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Slicer lefty, Grant Olson issued a one out walk to Jaylen Rutherford. Rutherford moved to second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a ground out to second baseman Kade Flores. Andrew Jiminez dropped a soft liner into left center field to drive in the run. 

 

La Porte countered with two runs in the bottom of the first without the benefit of a hit. Carter Moses reached on a throwing error. Courtesy runner Drew Flores stole second. Kade Flores drew a walk to put runners on first and second. Pitcher Carter Crowe attempted to pick Kade Flores off of first base. First baseman Nolan Davenport didn’t get the message and the ball went all the way to the fence. Drew Flores scored from second and brother Kade wound up on third. RJ Anglin lofted a short fly ball to right field. It was deep enough to score Kade Flores giving the Slicers a 2-1 edge. Kai Jones and Tommy Samuelson were both hit by pitches before Crowe struck out Kelli Hay for the final out. 

 

The Slicers made it 3-1 in the third. Anglin drew a one out walk and moved to second on a bad pickoff attempt. Kai Jones’ pop up dropped in for a single but Anglin was unable to advance. Samuelson lined out to center field. Anglin tagged went to third and was able to score on the throwing error. 

 

LP broke the game open scoring six runs in the fourth inning on just two hits while Panther pitchers walked five and the defense committed two more errors. The Slicers led 9-1 heading into the fifth.

 

Griffith threatened in the top of the fifth but left the bases loaded against Slicer reliever Drew Flores LP closed the game out with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Drew Catron singled to right and Ben Dubbs was hit by a pitch. A walk to Moses loaded the bases and then RBI walks to pinch hitters Jax Land and AJ Mrozinske gave LP the 11-1 win.

 

Olson picked up the win working four innings giving up one run and three hits. He struck out four, walked four and hit one batter. Moses was named the Salisbury and Spence Edward Jones Player of the Game.

 

La Porte travels to Logansport Saturday for a double header. First pitch 10:00 AM Central time.

 

Photos courtesy of Susan Anglin.