Closing out another Battle of 370, the varsity baseball team beat the Gretna Dragons in a shutout game, winning 5-0 last night.
Pitchers juniors Drew Baratta and Chase Neneman combined to throw a shutout game for the Griffins, adding to their season record of 14-8.
With minimal action in the first inning, allowing one player from each team on base, all three outs were recorded fairly quickly. The Griffins were the first to get on the board in the second when second baseman junior Colton Sillman singled on a line drive to right field, allowing center fielder senior Jensen Albers to score.
“We always enjoy playing Gretna, and it was also my first at bat after three weeks,” Sillman said. “It just feels like a good weight lifted off my shoulders, always getting that first hit back. I feel 100% now, and thankfully I’m available to play whenever they need me.”
Starting the third inning, Neneman collected two strikeouts from Gretna juniors second baseman Abraham Isaacson and catcher Nolan Spencer. Adding to their early lead in the bottom of the third, seniors catcher Carson Herrmann singled to center field, designated hitter Koby Modrell doubled to right field, and Albers flew into a double play, each scoring one run.
“Going against Gretna and winning that game meant a lot to the team,” Modrell said. “We have one goal, and it’s always to be a better team and constantly get better.”
Over the course of six innings, Neneman allowed three hits and zero runs, striking out five and walking three. Following Neneman, Baratta tossed one inning of zero-run ball for East in relief. He gave up zero hits, striking out two and walking none.
“Moving forward after yesterday, I think we’re feeling good,” Neneman said. “It puts us in a good spot for districts. I just thought about what I could do and know that I’m better than them.”
From the center of the lineup, Modrell led the Griffins with two runs batted in. The 3-hole hitter went 2-for-2 on the day, along with third baseman senior Kasen Brown, who also collected two hits for East, one of which was earned in the bottom of the fifth after Modrell got out on a sacrifice play to Gretna’s center fielder, senior Silas Braun.
Neither team committed a single error in the field. First baseman senior Colton Nicholson held the most chances in the field with 10, and Spencer was just behind him with five chances. After their shutout game against Gretna, the Griffins are now ranked No. 1 in Class B for Prep Baseball Nebraska Power Rankings.
The Griffins look to take on the Falcons at Lincoln Northwest tonight at 4:30 p.m. The Falcons are 4-15 on the season and ranked No. 25 in the Nebraska Division B rankings.
