This was a tough one to put together, but it's good

Batavia makes it 2 straight over Knights
Kaneland’s 4 errors prove costly as Schmitt tosses complete game

By Adam Bartolo
Daily Herald CorrespondentPosted Thursday, April 21, 2005

Batavia’s baseball team took advantage of its speed, timely hitting and four Kaneland errors to top the Knights 6-3 Wednesday in Batavia.

Leadoff hitter Colin Schweigert ignited the Bulldogs offense all day long. He reached base four times, twice on singles, once on a walk, and another time on an error. He finished with 3 runs scored and 4 stolen bases.

“Coach (Matt) Holm wanted me to learn how to lead off. So I had to watch pitches better,” said Schweigert. “And everything just went right for us today.”

Every time Kaneland scored, the Bulldogs (7-7, 3-2) would immediately counter.

In the bottom of the first, Batavia trailed 1-0. Schweigert reached first base on a fielding error and Danny Schmitt singled. Schweigert went to third and Schmitt advanced to second on the throw. Justin Fitch laced a single to tie the score.

Schmitt, Batavia’s starter, went seven innings and struck out seven. He worked hard to deal with the blustery winds, but kept improving as the game went on. His arsenal of pitches kept the Knights off balance.

“These are the days that the good pitchers really stand out,” said Holm, referring to Schmitt. “It’s when they’re struggling and still have a good game.”

Kaneland starter Matt Weiland didn’t quite have the same good fortune. He too pitched a gutsy game, but he received little help from his fielders, which was most evident in fourth inning.

The Knights (4-9-1, 1-4) had gone ahead 3-2 in the top of the fourth. Kevin McMahon belted a triple over the right fielder and pinch-runner Cory Ellingwood scored on a sacrifice fly by Chris Boroski.

In the bottom of the inning, the first two Bulldogs, Nick Radziwon and Jack Scalcucci, got on base, thanks to two errors. Scalcucci swiped second, putting two runners in scoring position for Nate Barajas. He lined a single to center to bring both runners home, and Batavia led 4-3.

But the damage was far from done. The next batter, Schweigert, hit a bunt single to advance Barajas to second. Schmitt hit a grounder to Weiland, who fired the ball to third base. The ball deflected off the fielder’s glove, loading the bases. Two batters later, Matt Douglas singled to right, bringing home Barajas and Schweigert.

Kaneland coach Kip Rogers seemed upset at his team’s defense.

“Matt pitched a good enough game to keep us around, but our defense didn’t take care of their end of the bargain,” Rogers said.

The Suburban Prairie North Conference opponents will finish their three-game set today in Maple Park.