Tornado baseball stays perfect

By Derek PydaEagle Staff Writer

The Butler baseball team hasn't allowed the cold and wet spring to dampen its play on the field.
Despite playing just three games in the last 15 days, the Golden Tornado have yet to turn in a losing performance this season.
The team's latest win, a 4-2 victory over Hampton Wednesday night at Pullman Park, moved its record to 6-0.
“It's been tough, the kids are tired of being in the gym,” said Butler coach Todd Erdos. “They want to get outside, play and have fun.”
Wednesday's performance was highlighted by a trio of Butler pitchers who surrendered a combined two runs on just five hits.
It began with starter and eventual winning pitcher Vinny Schmidt.
After allowing a pair of runs in the top of the first frame on a sacrifice fly from Erik Donatelli and an RBI single off the bat of Joe Vita, the southpaw hurled three straight scoreless innings.
Schmidt struck out the side in his last inning on the mound, the top of the fourth.
“Vinny got to us late in practice because he was on the basketball team,” said Erdos. “This was his first time on the mound this season. It was nice to get him out there.
“I thought all three of our pitchers were tremendous,” he added.
Butler's offense put Schmidt in position to win his first start of 2011, starting in the bottom of the second.
Tyler Slepski drew a leadoff walk and with two outs, Nate Bresnahan was hit by a pitch.
Both runners advanced on a wild pitch from Hampton's Zach Juliano before Mick Fennell belted a single to center for two RBI.
In the Tornado's next at-bat, Ethan Rock's double off the left field wall scored Bobby Swartwout for a 3-2 lead.
Butler's hitters made solid contact at the plate all night long, despite totaling just five hits.
“Right out of the gate this season, we had live bats and our guys were aggressive at the plate,” said Erdos. “I'm very pleased with our performance at the plate. Hopefully, we can continue that throughout the season.”
Butler's Zakk Foringer pitched two perfect innings of relief before handing the ball over to Alex Ziegler, who managed a 1-2-3 seventh to end the game.
Schmidt, Foringer and Ziegler combined to strike out six and walk just one.
“We hit the ball tonight, but Butler's pitchers didn't give up free passes and that was big,” said Talbots' coach Matt Torrence.
Note: Butler's fourth run was scored in the fifth when Chris Cotton walked, moved to third on Colin McKee's base hit and came home when Hampton pitcher Brandon Marsonek was charged with a balk. ... Hampton used the non-section game to get in work for six different pitchers. They included, in order: John Koch, Juliano, Dave Steckel, Ryan Gally, Marsonek and Ben Vey.

Hampton 200 000 0 — 2 5 0
Butler 021 010 x — 4 5 0
W: Vinny Schmidt 4 IP (4K, 1BB). L: Dave Steckel 1 IP (0K, 2BB).
Hampton (1-3): Cory Callan R, Matt Coholich 2B R, Erik Donatelli RBI, Ryan Gally 1B, Joe Vita 1B RBI, Craig Nugent 1B, John Koch 1B
Butler (6-0): Mick Fennell 1B 2RBI, Zack Rader 1B, Bobby Swartwout R, Ethan Rock 2B RBI, Tyler Slepski R, Nate Bresnahan R, Chris Cotton R, Tony Graziani 1B, Colin McKee 1B