Written by Mike Rosenbaum and Ethan Silverman

WEBSTER GROVES - No. 23 DeSmet defeated Webster Groves 15-11 on Tuesday, as the two teams combined for 27 total hits, nine of which were for extra bases.  On an afternoon with the wind blowing out to right-center, the ball was simply flying out of the park.  Even though Webster Groves hit four home runs, DeSmet still managed to prevail, as they out hit the Statesmen 16-11.  And while the hits were plentiful, so were the walks, as the teams issued a total of 16 walks and hit three batters.

On the mound for Webster Groves was staff ace and Prep Baseball Report's No. 10 junior, RHP Peter Fairbanks. DeSmet jumped out to an early lead when 1B Chris Arends drove in 2B Killian Knowles with a single in the first inning. 

The Spartans extended their lead to 3-0 after SS Zak Larkin plated RF Brandon Gutzler and C Kyle Downey with a two out knock in the top of the second.  All three players also stole a base in the inning.

In the top of the third, Gutzler belted his second home run of the season, a three-run shot to center that struck the face of the scoreboard and gave the Spartans a 6-0 lead.

Webster Groves' bats came alive in the home half of the third, as they used the long ball to cut into DeSmet's lead.  RHP/IF Kyle Eaton lead off the inning with a home run off Spartans' starter RHP Dan Shaw, who had allowed just one baserunner to reach in his first two innings.  A few batters later, Fairbanks hit the Statesmen's second long ball of the day -- a towering, two-run shot with two outs.  And then, after a single by C Jake Perry, SS Caleb Cowin made it a one-run game when he hit his second home run of the season, a two-run shot to right-center.

With a 6-5 lead headed into the top of the fourth, DeSmet tacked on two more runs thanks to a Webster Groves error and RBI single by DH Zack Caldwell. 

Webster Groves came right back with four runs in the bottom half of the inning to go up 9-8 -- their first lead of the game.  After an RBI single by 3B Nate Williams, Fairbanks crushed a three-run home run to dead center, his second of the game and fourth of the season.

The Statemen's lead didn't last long, however, as a four run top of the fifth put DeSmet back on top 12-9.  Both 2B Elliot Povis and 3B Brian Graf collected RBI singles, and LHP/OF Kyle Bouman, Prep Baseball Report's No. 12 senior, hit a two-run double.

After a scoreless sixth inning -- the game's only scoreless inning -- DeSmet added to their 12-10 lead with a three-run top of the seventh.  The inning featured RBI singles by Arends and LF Nick Rumpling, and Gutzler drove in another run with a sacrifice fly.

If there was one recurring theme to the game, it was that no lead was safe.  Therefore, it wasn't surprising that Webster Groves threatened to come back in their final at bat.  With one run already in, the Statesmen had the bases loaded with two out and the tying run at the plate, but RHP Lucas Nikolaisen was able to fan Cowin to end the game and seal the Spartans 15-11 victory.

Despite the loss, several Webster Groves' hitters had strong games.  Fairbanks finished 2-for-4 with 2 home runs and 5 RBI, Cowin was 2-for-5 with a home run and 2 RBI, and Eaton was 2-for-2 with two runs scored and a solo shot.

On the mound, Fairbanks surrendered 3 runs on 3 hits in 2 innings.  The right-hander showcased a fastball that sat 85-87 mph and reached 88 mph on numerous occasions, as he walked four and fanned two.

For DeSmet, Larkin finished the game 3-for-5 with 2 RBI while Bouman was 2-for-3 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI.  Caldwell also turned in a 2-for-2 game, with a double, RBI, and 2 walks.  However, it was the sophomore Gutzler who had the biggest day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with 3 runs scored, a home run, and 4 RBI.

RHP Alex Parker picked up the win for the Spartans after hurling 2 1/3 innings in relief of Shaw and RHP Jake Unnerstall.  The senior gave up 2 runs on 4 hits, fanned two, and hit two batters.

Although Parker pitched well, DeSmet pitchers repeatedly allowed Webster Groves to claw their way back into the game.  They seemed to have trouble recording the final out in most innings, as evidenced by Webster Groves scoring 10 of their 11 runs with two outs.

"We didn't compete from the mound," said DeSmet coach Greg Vitello. "Defensively we didn't make an error and offensively we put the ball in play, but we didn't compete from the mound."

"We lost focus,? Vitello continued. ?Our pitcher had two, clean innings and then he walks a guy, and a guy hits a home run, and he walks guy, and a guy hits another home run...you just can't do that; you have to pitch with a lead."  

 

In other action on Tuesday, Troy Buchanan beat Duchesne 8 - 0 on a complete game shutout by senior RHP Derringer Huff (right). On the afternoon, Huff surrendered three hits and struck out six  He faced only two batters over the minimum thanks to some stellar defense by the middle infield combination of Tim Livingston and Cody Shilharvey.  Offensively, Troy Buchanon was let by Brendan Allen, who went three for four with three RBIs.  Tyler Thwing and Luke Beachler added two hits apiece.

No. 2 Webb City was upset by Carl Junction by a score of 13-12. Logan Deem and Ryan Anderson each had three RBIs in the victory. The two teams combines for 31 hits in the offensive outburst.

No 3. Staley was upset by Smithville, falling 10-7.

Strafford defeated Ash Grove 9-1. Ethan Berry threw a two hit complete game and homeruns from Connor Wilson and Cody Lemay highlighted the Stafford offensive attack. Jared Yarberry and Chris Berry also contributed with two hits a piece.

The Stockton offense expolded with 20 runs to back starting pitcher Jake Pyle's no nitter, in a 20-0 win against  Lockwood.  Kevin Martin went two for  with a grand slam, Robbie Ewing two for two with a triple, and Nate Ewing two for three with two doubles.