No. 10 O'Fallon Rolls Past No. 6 Edwardsville

April 15, 2016

By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

No. 10 O'Fallon 12, No. 6 Edwardsville 2 (6 innings)

O’Fallon, IL – No. 10 O’Fallon beat No. 6 Edwardsville on Thursday afternoon 12-2 at Blazier Field in six innings. Both teams had their senior aces on the mound. Left-hander Bradley Harrison (6-0), a Southern Illinois recruit, got the start for O’Fallon (14-3) and right-hander Trey Riley (1-2), an Oklahoma State recruit, got the ball for Edwardsville (13-4).

Harrison was magnificent for the Panthers throwing a complete game and keeping the Tigers offense at bay throughout much of the contest. Harrison’s biggest challenge came in the top of first inning. He allowed a leadoff double to Dylan Burris, hit the two-hole batter and walked the four-hole hitter to load the bases with only one out. Harrison proceeded to strike out the next two batters with two back-foot breaking balls to right-handed hitters to get out of the jam. From there Harrison did not allow a base-runner past second base until the sixth inning when the game was seemingly out of hand. His final line in the win was six innings pitched, eight strikeouts, one walk, no earned runs and scattered five hits.

In the bottom of the third, with the score deadlocked at zero, the Panthers offense got going. The rally started when Freshman Josh Gibson drew a walk and Dillon Weiss was hit by a pitch. Senior Bradley Snyder got to the plate with one out and runners on second and third. He proceeded to take a 91 mph fastball from Riley back up the middle for an RBI single. The RBI single gave O’Fallon the lead which they would never relinquish. The next batter, Harrison, helped himself out by grounding into a fielder’s choice, getting an RBI and a 2-0 lead in the process.

The Panthers posted crooked numbers the following three innings as well. They scored four in the fourth, three in the fifth and three more in the sixth. The game-ending hit was an RBI double down the right field line by leadoff man Weiss. The game ending run was scored by Gibson. The Freshman Gibson, finished the game going 2-for-2 with three RBI, three runs scored, two walks and two stolen bases. Camden Bauer and Weiss also chipped in with two hits for the Panthers.

Edwardsville scored two runs in the top of the sixth inning. Riley and Joel Quirin delivered consecutive RBI singles scoring Jake Garella and Collin Clayton.

Riley, the Tiger starting pitcher, was eventually chased in the fourth inning. Early on his fastball sat 87-91 mph with life. In the second inning every fastball out of the windup was 90 plus. Later on his fastball ranged anywhere from 85-91 mph. He also flashed a breaking ball at 79-81 mph and a changeup at 77-78 mph.

Junior, right-handed pitcher Andrew Frank was a bright spot out of the bullpen for Edwardsville. His fastball sat 83-85 mph, touching 87 with arm-side-run. He also showed feel for a curveball and changeup in his one inning of work. He struck out two and did not allow a run or a hit.