By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
FAUCETT - The East Buchanan baseball team put up six runs in the sixth inning in an otherwise defensive battle against rival Mid-Buchanan, and the Bulldogs managed a 6-2 win in Faucett on a windy and cloudy Thursday afternoon.
After being held to just one hit through the first five innings, East Buchanan (6-0) loaded the bases with two walks and a hit batter to start off the sixth. Max Henry walked in the game's first run to give the Bulldogs their first run and lead.
With the bases still loaded and nobody out, and facing the Mid Buchanan bullpen, East Buchanan kept the pressure on. Austin Cilke had an RBI single, and Blake Bryor walked in another run to make it 3-0.
Henry later came around to score on an error in centerfield and an RBI fielders' choice by Ty Ingle made it 6-0 East Buchanan by the middle of the sixth inning.
"I think the confidence continued to build," East Buchanan coach Dave Elms said. "I think once we got runners on base and started putting a little bit of pressure on them, they had to be a bit finer with their pitches, and I think our hitters took advantage of those times."
On the hill, junior starter Gage Busby got the win for East Buchanan, pitching 6.1 innings and striking out 10 batters in a stellar effort.
"I just pitched to contact most of the time," Busby said. "Tried to let my fielders make plays for the most part and just pitch, and stuff was working today."
Busby held the Dragons (3-1) scoreless through five innings, but Mid-Buchanan got on the board in the bottom of the sixth after drawing three walks and stealing five bases in the frame.
Derek Sprague scored Mid-Buchanan's first run on a perfectly timed suicide squeeze from third base. Denton Biller came around to score on an error, but the Dragons were held to just the two runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Mid-Buchanan was held to just two hits Thursday, and the Dragons stranded five base runners. Cadyn Parrott took the loss on the mound, pitching only the sixth inning.
Biller made the start on the mound for Mid-Buchanan and looked strong, but he was pulled after 2.1 innings due to pitch count. Biller struck out five batters in that time. Coltyn Angst followed with 2.2 solid innings of scoreless relief, striking out four himself.
Austin Cilke recorded the final two outs on the mound in the seventh inning for East Buchanan, who remain undefeated on the young season.
"We're putting in a lot of work at practice," Busby said. "Staying after and putting in a lot of work ourselves. Defensively, we're doing a great job out there, and making plays. Timely hits. All of it. We're just doing good."
The Bulldogs will next play at Maryville on April 3. Mid-Buchanan plays at Northland Christian on Friday at 4:30 p.m., weather permitting.
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