Hitting Stride

By John Enrietto
Eagle Sports Editor

		Butler's Mick Fennell connects with a pitch Tuesday during his 5-for-5 performance in the Tornado's 12-2 victory over Knoch. Dave Prelosky/Butler Eagle

Butler had no trouble hitting the ball Tuesday night at Pullman Park.
Knoch had plenty of trouble catching it.
The Golden Tornado produced 15 hits — giving them 27 in two games — in rolling to a 12-2 baseball victory over the Knights.
“We've got good contact hitters from one through nine in the lineup,” Butler coach Todd Erdos said. “I think we're going to hit like this most nights. When you put the bat on the ball, good things can happen.”
Knoch committed six errors Tuesday — giving them 16 fielding miscues in two games — and allowed the Tornado to score six unearned runs in the first two innings.
“We're still sorting things out. It's a slow process,” Knights coach George Bradley said. “By Monday, we're going to know who can catch and throw the baseball and those guys will be out there.”
Knoch's offense was limited to three hits Tuesday. Adam Schaffner worked the first five innings for Butler, throwing only 66 pitches and allowing two hits.
“Adam was very efficient. He pitched to contact and got a lot of ground balls,” Erdos said. “This was his first varsity game and I was impressed with how he pitched.
“He aggressively pounded the zone and got ahead of hitters. We've got a good defense behind him and he took advantage of it.”
Schaffner did not walk a batter and struck out four. Zakk Foringer struck out three over the final two innings.
Butler's No. 2 and 3 hitters, Alex Ziegler and Mick Fennell, were a combined 9-for-10 at the plate with a triple, two doubles, six singles, six runs scored and five RBIs.
Fennell was 5-for-5, scored from second on a wild pitch and beat out a ground ball to first for an infield hit.
“It's tough to go 5-for-5 at any level of baseball,” Erdos said. “That shows he's not wasting at-bats and that's good to see.”
Tom Bruce was Butler's other multi-hit producer, collecting two singles and an RBI.
“We were aggressive on the basepaths and we're off to a nice start offensively,” Erdos said. “I like the way we're playing right now.”
Mac Megahan doubled and singled for Knoch, knocking in both of the Knights' runs.
“We're not quitters here. Nobody on this team is doing that,” Bradley said. “Butler has a shot at winning the WPIAL Quad-A title. That team is that good. You can't help them along like we did tonight.
“We'll get it figured out.”
Butler 330 001 5 — 12 15 1
Knoch 000 101 0 — 2 3 6
W: Adam Schaffner 5IP (4K, 0BB). L: Ryan Letzelter 3IP (5K, 1BB).
Butler (2-0): Colin Williamson 1B RBI 2-R, Alex Ziegler 2-2B 2-1B 3-RBI 3-R, Mick Fennell 3B 4-1B 2-RBI 3-R, Dante Dorcy 1B, Coin McKee 1B, Tom Bruce 2-1B RBI, Josh Friel 2B
Knoch (0-2): Justin Grossman 2B, Mac Megahan 2B 1B 2-RBI