JOHN CURTIS - Daily Union Sports Editor
Stew-Stras defended their home turf on Friday to open their season with a win, beating Okaw Valley, 6-1.
Clayton Brandt sparked the Comets at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with a double and home run, driving in three runs. Chris Koontz got the win for Stew-Stras, pitching four innings, giving up just four hits (one a home run) and two walks, while striking out seven. After giving up a home run to lead-off the game, Koontz retired 9 of the next 11 batters with six stikeouts.
Seth Calhoun had the big hit for the Timberwolves, also going yard, for Okaw's only run. Aaron Fruchtl took the loss for Okaw, going just three innings and allowing three runs on two hits and a walk, while striking out one. Calhoun also had the only run for Okaw, a home run to lead off the game.
After giving up that home run to lead-off the game, Koontz retired 9 of the next 11 batters with six strikeouts. Meanwhile, the Comets built a 2-run lead. Steven Thomas had a lead-off hit in the first inning, stole second and advance to third on a sacrifice fly by Zach Rincker. Clayton Brandt then hit a sac fly to left field and Thomas tagged up and scored, 1-0.
In the third inning, Micah Slifer was hit by a pitch and Thomas hit into a fielder's choice, Thomas then stole second. With two outs, Brandt took the first pitch over the fence for a 2-run homer and a 3-1 Comet lead.
Koontz allowed two base runners in the fourth with two outs, but he struck out the next man to maintain the 2-run lead. Zach Rincker came on in relief in the fith and retired the sides. Then the Comets extended their lead.
Brandt led off with a single and stole second. Kyle Helmuth singled Brandt home. McLain came on in relief for Okaw. Luke Rincker drew a walk and, with one out, Lucas Helton reached on a fielder's choice with everyone safe, driving in a run. Nick Ferris reached on an error and another run scored. He stole second, but was stranded with the lead capped at 6-1.
Brandt doubled in his last at bat to go 3-for-3 with a sacrifice fly, a double, a single and a 2-run home run.
Stew-Stras 6, Okaw Valley 1
Okaw 100 000 0--1-4-2
Stew 102 030 x--6-6-0
Stew stats: Thomas 1-for-3, BB, 2 SB, 2 runs; Z. Rincker 1-for-3; Brandt 3-for-3, 2B, HR, SB, 2 runs, 3 RBIs; Helmuth 1-for-3, HBP, SB, run, RBI; L. Rincker 0-for-1, 3 BBs, SB, run; Wascher 0-for-4; Helton 0-for-2, BB, RBI; Ferris 0-for-3, OBE, B, RBI; Slifer 0-for-0 BB, HBP; Overbeck 0-for-1. Pitching (W) Koontz 4 IP, 1 run, 3 hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks; L. Rincker 1.6 IP, 0 runs, 1 hit, 4 Ks; Helmuth .6 IP.
Okaw stats: Calhoun 1-for-3, HR, run, RBI; Blakey 0-for-3; Fruchtl 1-for-3, 2B; Suddarth 1-for-3; Pierce 1-for-3; Corrington 0-for-3; McLain 0-for-2, BB; Cloyd 0-for-2, BB; Rothrock 0-for-2; Colclasure 0-for-1. PItching (L) Fruchtl 3 IP, 3 runs, 2 hits, 1 BB, 1 K; McLain 1 IP, 2 runs, 2 hits, 3 BBs, 0 K; Rothrock 2 IP, 1 run, 2 hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks.
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