In an early battle of War Eagle Conference unbeatens, MMCRU came out on top of Hinton by a 5-1 final score at the Diediker Baseball Field in Hinton on Monday.
The Royals got a great pitching performance in the win from sophomore Eli Schlenger. He pitched all seven innings allowing just four hits, an unearned run, and he struck out nine Blackhawks. MMCRU head coach Cam Kuchel says Schlenger was in total command of his pitches throughout the game.
Schlenger’s pitching played right into the problems Hinton hitters were having in the box. His command offered opportunities for the Blackhawks to jump on him and try to get a rally going. Hinton head coach Cale Kramer says the guys were letting hittable pitches go by and swinging at tempting pitches out of the zone.
The scoring started for MMCRU in the top of the second inning when they put a pair of runners on to start the inning. Two quick outs later, Schlenger helped out his own cause ripping a two-out two-run single that gave the Royals the lead for good in the game. Coach Kuchel says that hit allowed him to settle in and let it fly on the mound.
The Blackhawks took advantage of a throwing error in the bottom of the third for their only run. The top of the sixth would put the nail in the coffin with MMCRU getting their first four runners on base from the 2-5 spots and scoring three of them. Through the first six games, MMCRU’s top hitters have not been contributing the way they are used to. Coach Kuchel says that sixth inning was a positive step back in the right direction for that group.
The Royals scored their five runs on Hinton sophomore Karver DeGroot who had a much better game on the mound than the score would suggest. DeGroot struck out eight and only allowed six hits while pitching four 1-2-3 innings. Coach Kramer says his up-and-down tendency will start to work out of his system as he gets older and matures as a pitcher.
This game started a busy stretch for the Blackhawks, who drop to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in the War Eagle Conference. It is the first of four games in four days with all of them on the road. Two things will be important in this tough early season stretch for Hinton. Coach Kramer says that is using time wisely and making sure the kids are having some fun.
MMCRU has a similarly tough schedule this week but gets an off day to prepare for it. On Wednesday, they square off with George-Little Rock in Remsen. Then, they go through the gauntlet of state semifinalist Kingsley-Pierson and the defending state champion Hawks of Remsen St. Mary’s. Coach Kuchel says the guys are looking forward to seeing how they stack up against some tough teams.
The Royals are now 5-2 overall and, still, a perfect 2-0 in the War Eagle Conference.
