Heart of order propels No. 3 Francis Howell past Lindbergh

April 29, 2011

Written by Mike Rosenbaum

No. 3 Francis Howell dropped Lindbergh in a non-conference match up on Thursday, scoring five late-inning runs on their way to a 9-5 win. Although the slick and soggy field conditions hindered Howell?s usually-sharp defense, it hardly affected them at the plate, as the Vikings 3-4-5-6 hitters were a combined 7-for-14 and drove in eight runs.

The game was scoreless until the top of the third inning, when Howell (3-1, 18-2) scored four times and sent nine hitters to the plate. After cruising through the first two innings, Lindbergh?s starter, RHP Jared Haenni, struggled with his command, issuing three walks and hitting a batter. RHP/INF Kyle Nuetzel delivered a big two-out, two-run double, and CF Jake Ivory had an RBI single.

The Flyers (6-2, 10-5) responded by scoring their first run in the home half of the inning. LF Zak Jones laced a triple to the wall in right-center and subsequently scored on a sacrifice fly from SS Matt Feldt.

After Howell was retired in order in the fourth, Lindbergh tied the game in the fourth thanks to a pair of infield errors and a timely, two-out double. With runners on first and second, Feldt ripped a two-run double that plated RF Jack Manley and 3B Jordan Harmon.

But as they have done all season, Howell pulled away over the game?s final innings and picked up another decisive win.

The Vikings capitalized on two errors early in the inning by Lindbergh to score three runs, chasing Haenni in the process. 3B Case Munson ripped a bases-loaded single to center, and 1B Nic Perkins contributed with a run-scoring sacrifice fly.

They went on to add two more runs in the sixth thanks to RBI singles from Ivory and C Gordie Gundaker.

Lindbergh scored a run in their final at-bat when CF Sean Murphy plated INF Michael Meeds with a single, but could not stage a comeback.

Nuetzel made his third start of the season for Howell and gave up three earned runs on three hits in three-and-a-third innings. RHP Brannon Callaway picked up the win after allowing one earned run in three innings of relief.

The Vikings offense was led by their dynamic three and four hitters: Ivory and Munson. Ivory, Prep Baseball Report?s No. 12 Class of 2011 player, was 2-for-4 with three runs scored and two RBI, while Munson, a Jefferson College recruit, was 1-for-3 with three RBI.

SS Brett Graves, Prep Baseball Report?s No. 6 Class of 2011 player, was 2-for-4 with a run and a pair of doubles, and Nuetzel was 1-for-2 with a double and pair of RBI.

Even though Haenni was tagged with the loss, the Lindbergh right-hander offered a glimpse of his potential. In four-and-two-thirds innings of work, the 6-foo-6, 210-pound junior allowed five runs on five hits, while fanning six and walking five. He featured a fastball that sat 80-82 mph and touched 83 mph, as well as a 77 mph change up with late movement and a power curve at 72-73 mph.

Feldt finished 1-for-3 with a double and three RBI for the Flyers, while 1B Jesse Maness was 2-for-3 a double and RBI, and Murphy was 3-for-4 with a triple and stolen base.

NOTES

After driving in three runs in the game, Howell?s Case Munson leads the state with a whopping 44 RBI; has 4 HR and 17 RBI in last five games.
Howell?s 3-4 combo of Ivory and Munson have combined for 15 HR and 70 RBI this season.
Haenni retired the Vikings in order in both the first and third inning.
Having already scored once in the inning, Maness was thrown out at the plate with one out in the bottom of the seventh.
A massive double-rainbow appeared over the field in the sixth inning following a brief downpour.
With two doubles to right-center, Graves now has eight doubles this season
Maness?s 2-for-3 performance raised his batting average to a team best .441
Callaway improved to 3-1 with the win on Thursday.
No. 3 Francis Howell has two tough games on the horizon: Howell North (1-2, 14-6) at home on April 30 and at No. 1 Rock Bridge on May 5- which has the potential to be the game of the year.