Will
Batz scored one and knocked in another as The Master's baseball team got to .500 in conference play with a 3-1 win over the Menlo Oaks Friday at Lou
Herwaldt Stadium.
Freshman Carson Knapp pitched a gem, going 5.0 innings and allowing no runs, just two hits and struck out five to get the win.
"(Knapp) had command of both pitches and he stuck to the plan we had," said Head Coach
Monte Brooks. "It was almost as if we were playing a video game, calling the pitch and he would hit the spot. So I am really encouraged."
This is the second consecutive strong outing for Knapp. He came on in the second inning last Friday against San Diego Christian and pitched 4.1 scoreless innings and only gave up two hits.
"He's pitching with much more confidence," Brooks said. "He's big, he's just coming up big."
Batz got the scoring started in the bottom of the third after he walked, stole second and advanced to third on a groundout.
Evan Banks then grounded out to short, getting
Batz to score to give the Mustangs (22-10, 8-8
GSAC) the 1-0 lead.
Then in the bottom of the fifth, Tyler
Grodell roped a one-out double to left.
Batz then singled to right to drive in
Grodell to put TMU Up 2-0.
"Will has been much more patient this year," Brooks said. "He has cut down his strikeouts and elevated his walks. And his experience has played a big part and he's much more knowledgeable and he's much more confident. He sets the tone. He's been an amazing lead-off hitter, he's been an amazing centerfielder and his experience has helped some of the other guys."
One inning later,
Ty Beck hit a line shot to
centerfield that looked like the first out of the inning. But the ball ticked off the top of the glove, which allowed Beck to get to third. Ryan
Mathiesen then hit a ball up the middle that took a crazy bounce. Beck scored on the infield single to make it 3-0.
The Oaks would add a run in the top of the seventh, but that was the last threat they would provide in the game.
Batz finished the game 2-for-3 with the run scored and the RBI.
Mathiesen,
Grodell and
Davis Beavers had base hits as well.
Cale Mathison pitched 3.0 innings after Knapp, allowing one earned run on two hits and striking out five. Ryan
Mathiesen closed the game in the top of the ninth to earn his third save of the season.
These two teams will be back at it Saturday for a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. at Lou
Herwaldt Stadium.
