Written by Mike Rosenbaum

The threat of quarter-sized hail and tornadoes was not enough to deter a battle between Metro Catholic Conference rivals on Tuesday afternoon, as No. 4 SLUH defeated No. 11 Vianney 4-2 to remain undefeated on the season.  Despite dark and ominous skies, and wind gusts exceeding 20 mph, the game began on time and was completed in an unprecedented 1 hour and 13 minutes.

With all of the offense occurring in the first three innings, it was both teams? starting pitchers that stole the show, as SLUH LHP Sasha Kuebel (left) and Vianney RHP Tim Agne allowed a combined three hits over the final four innings.  In the end, however, it was Kuebel who won the duel, as he showed exactly why he is regarded as one of the state?s top pitchers.    

Vianney (13-5) got to Kuebel in the top of the first, as leadoff hitter 2B Clay Pfieffer singled to start the game and scored moments later on SS Jake Walter?s double.  Walters would later score on a SLUH infield error to give the Griffins an early 2-0 lead. 

SLUH (11-0) came right back in the bottom half of the inning with three runs on three hits.  SS Mitch Klug (right) got things started with a one out triple to right field and scored on a two out triple by Kuebel.  1B Andrew Pitts made it a 3-2 game when his single through the left side plated Kuebel.

The Junior Billikens increased their lead to 4-2 in the bottom of third when Pitts drove in 3B Willie Floros with a sacrifice fly to right field.

The two run lead was all that Kuebel would ultimately need, as the left-hander turned in a dazzling performance against the Griffins on Tuesday.  Already committed to the University of Iowa, the senior improved to 4-0 after firing his fourth complete game of the season.  

Kuebel allowed one earned run on five hits, and recorded 11 strikeouts and without issuing a walk.  With the strong outing, the Junior Billikens? ace improved his strikeout to walk ratio to 38:7 over 28 innings.

After allowing three hits in the first two innings, Kuebel retired 12 straight Vianney hitters between the third and sixth innings.  

The senior?s fastball sat at 85-87 mph, hitting 88 mph multiple times, and generated late, arm-side run.  Kuebel also showcased a sharp breaking ball that came in between 70-72 mph, as well as a change up at 76-77 mph.

Throughout the entire game he worked quick and efficiently, as if he could sense the imminent thunderstorms.  Kuebel used all of his pitches to get ahead of Vianney?s hitters, working both sides of the plate and not making a mistake when ahead in the count.

SLUH?s offense was lead by Kuebel, who finished the game 2-for-3 with a triple and RBI, and Pitts, who was 1-for-2 with a pair of RBI.

Agne was sharp for Vianney, throwing all six innings and allowing three earned runs on six hits, while striking out six and walking one.  The junior right-hander?s fastball sat 80-82 mph, and reached as high as 83 mph.  He also showed a nice curveball that came in at 69-71 mph and change up at 72-74 mph.

Walters finished the game 1-for-3 with a double and RBI, and Pfieffer, CF Ryan Snyder, LF Zach Knese, and C Jack Klages each collected a hit for Vianney.