Written by Michael Rosenbaum

KIRKWOOD, MO - Two of Prep Baseball Report's top 10 teams battled it out on Friday, as No. 4 CBC defeated conference rival No. 8 Vianney 9-1, behind a strong outing from RHP David Schmidt and a trio of Cadet long balls.

To say that Vianney's offense has been hot is an understatement.  Headed into Friday's game against CBC, the Golden Griffins had 14 of their 15 hitters batting above .300, 10 of which were batting above .400.  And in 11 games this spring, their offense had scored a whopping 137 runs.

CBC (8-2, 1-0) got on the board in the top of the second, when C Parker Stewart homered to left-center to lead off the frame.  The next three hitters, 2B Joe Schrimpf , Schmidt, and 3B Bobby Lang, hit consecutive doubles, with Schmidt driving in their second run of the game.  Both SS Mike Venturella (right) and DH Derek Cornell followed with RBI singles that extended the Cadets' lead to 4-0.  The big blow in the inning came from 1B Mike Ehrard, who laced to a two-run single into the right-centerfield gap to give CBC a commanding 6-0 lead.

Vianney (10-2, 1-1) scored their only run of the game in the bottom of the fourth, when CF Ryan Snyder, who began the day hitting an astounding .629, belted a solo shot to right-center, his fourth of the season.

CBC scored three more times in the top of the sixth thanks to back-to-back homers from Ehrard and CF Brennan Devers.  With Cornell on second and one out, Ehrard hit a line drive out to right.  On the very next pitch, Devers deposited his first home run of the year over the left-centerfield wall. 

Despite the impressive performance by the CBC offense, it was their starter Schmidt (3-0), Prep Baseball Report's No. 2 senior, who stole the show. The Standford-bound right-hander was on point from the moment he toed the rubber on Friday, stifling the Vianney offense and picking up the win in his best outing of the season.  He allowed just one run on five hits in the complete game effort; he walked two, hit two batters, and fanned seven.

Schmidt's fastball was popping throughout the entire game, sitting 89-91 mph, reaching 92 mph on numerous occasions, and topping out at 93 mph.  In addition to the heater, the senior also mixed in his 75-77 mph slider and 81-84 mph change up.

After CBC jumped out to a six-run lead in the second, the right-hander demonstrated exactly what it means to pitch with a lead.  Schmidt never faced more than five Vianney hitters in an inning, and faced only 28 over the course of the entire game.  His fastball even hit 92 mph a few times in seventh inning.

"After that kind of inning, you just go out and put the ball over the plate and let them get themselves out," said Schmidt about his approach. "You don't have to worry about being so fine and making great pitches every at bat."

Facing a Vianney offense that averages 12.5 runs per game, CBC coach Mason Horne knew that the game would be a test for Schmidt. "Obviously, they're a phenomenal offensive team," he said.  "And as good as David is, he had to be on today to shut them down."

"He had gotten two wins but wasn't very sharp in either outing," added Horne.  "I thought his performance today was outstanding.  He still didn't have all his pitches working as he would have liked, but he shut down a great offense."

CBC's 3-4-5 hitters clicked for the first time this season, as Ehrard, Devers, and Stewart each homered in the game and went a combined 5-for-11 with 6 RBI.  For Ehrard, who entered Friday hitting .452, it was his third of the season, and he finished the game 2-for-4 with 4 RBI. 

"He's really locked in right now," said Horne of his first baseman.  "His approach is there and he's seeing the ball really well; he's dangerous, no doubt."

And after Friday's victory, Horne seemed confident that's he'd finally found his clean up hitter. "Devers is the right guy for the four-hole; he does not strike out.  As you know, the fourth and fifth hitters lead off a lot of innings, so I like to have a guy there who can get on base and drive the ball. Devers will really battle up there and get on base."

CBC next plays on Tuesday at Chaminade at 4:15 p.m., while Vianney will play Parkway Central on Monday at the same time.

Springfield Red and Blue Classic

Glendale HS won two game Friday, clinching a spot in the Red division championship game by defeating Neosho and Kearney. In the first game against Neosho, starting pitcher Skyler Ladd (left) picked up the win, throwing a complete game in the 7-6 victory. Leadoff hitter Elliot Carlew had two hits and reached base in all four of his plate appearances.

In Glendale's second game of the day, Aaron Bates set the tone for the offense with three hits and two RBIs in the 7-6 win against Kearney. Josh Lachnit picked up the win, going 7 strong innings.

Other scores from the Red and Blue Classic:

Neosho 10 Republic 3

Shiloh 22 Belton 12

Skip Schulz/West Central Missouri Tournament

Rock Bridge defeated Lafayette 11-1

Lafayette defeated host Smith-Cotton HS 12-8