Post Messenger Recorder -

On Thursday, April 2, 2015, the Belleville baseball team faced off against Pecatonica. The Vikings won the matchup, 13-4.

The Wildcats had six hits and five errors while Pecatonica had nine hits and two errors.

Starting on the mound for the Wildcats was Scott Schwoegler, who pitched two innings in the loss. He struck out five, walked two, and hit two batters. Drew Shrader then came in and pitched three innings; Shrader had three strikeouts and three walks. John Gorski was brought in the final inning where he walked two batters.

Leading the way offensively for the team was Nicholas Richter, who was two for four with one run scored, a double, and two RBIs. Kevin Zimmerman was one for one with a double and two walks while Jacob Hackman was also one for one with one run scored and one walk. Additionally, Drew Shrader was one for four with one run scored.

Defensively, the team had five runs in the game that cost them some easy outs and led to some unearned runs being scored.

“We also had some nice defensive plays turned in by Brad DeShon in centerfield and Cash Hoffman at first base. These things will clean themselves up as we spend more time on a diamond and get some much needed reps in for everyone,” said Head Coach Jon Benash. “For being our first time all season on an actual diamond and playing against what should be a conference-contending baseball team in Pecatonica, we can take a lot of positives out of this game. We got three good innings out of our freshmen pitchers, the top of our batting order showed that they can get on base, and we played with a lot of excitement. Our youth and inexperience showed at times, but the mistakes that we made will help us grow as a team.”