MARIETTA,
Ga. – In spite of 14 strikeouts by its starting pitcher, Knights
Baseball 16u National (1-2) lost 5-4 against Quakes Baseball (1-2) in
an early Sunday afternoon pool P matchup at the 2012 WWBA 16u
National Championship.
With
the tying and winning runs on base and two outs in the bottom of the
seventh, Eric Mertens (2014, Althoff Catholic H.S., Ill.) set down
Gregory Lambert (2014, Madison Academy, Ala.) on strikes to seal the
win for the Quakes.
Entering
the game at Southern Poly’s Water J. Kelly, Jr. Field, the Quakes
had yet to register a run scored through two games, and it appeared
little would change in the early going on Sunday. Knights left-hander
Cody Reed (2014, Ardmore H.S., Ala.) struck out the side in the first
as well as four of the first five batters that he faced.
But
the Illinois-based Quakes finally plated some runs in the second as
Ty Grant (2014, Gibault
Catholic H.S., Ill.) drove in Parker Hendricks (2014, Belleville East
H.S., Ill.) from third on a RBI groundout to second. Later on that
half inning, Taylor
Schmitt (2014, Lebanon H.S., Ill.) also crossed home plate.
An
inning later, the Knights rallied to tie the game after Quakes
starting pitcher Grant Strieker (2014, Althoff Catholic H.S., Ill.)
drilled Lambert with the bases loaded and then surrendered a
sacrifice fly to Tyler Brown (2014, Friendship, Tenn.) on consecutive
pitches.
Two
frames down the road, Quakes used a walk and three hits to push home
their final three scores to break a tie ballgame. Technically,
Knights lefty Reed struck out the side in the top of the fifth, but
not before allowing a two-run double by Strieker, which skipped by a
diving Kyle Wright (2014, Buckhorn H.S., Ala.) at third base.
The
Knights did muster some offense in response to the Quakes’
three-run fifth though as Lambert notched two more RBIs on a line
drive two-run double to left-center, drawing the team within a run.
But that would be the last sighting of the Knights’ bats.
Reed
took the loss for the Knights in a complete-game outing, allowing six
hits, five runs (two earned), three walks and striking out 14. He
struck out the side twice on Sunday afternoon. A Perfect Game scout
clocked the six-foot-three left-hander’s fastball in the 86-88 mph
range.
“Cody
pitched well,” said Knights head coach Jason Anderegg after the
game. “He kept us in the game, and we had an opportunity to win at
the end and that’s all you can ask for.”
Anderegg
was complimentary of the left-hander pitcher, who also sees time at
first base for the Knights.
“Cody
has a fastball that has late life on it and a good curveball too,”
Anderegg said. “He just knows how to throw and get people out.”
The
rising junior said he is considering University of Alabama and
Vanderbilt University. He claims to have a verbal offer from the
Crimson Tide while the Commodores have expressed interest.
“I’m
looking for good academics, facilities, coaches and just solid
people,” said Reed in response to what he is seeking in a school.
Anderegg
also gave third baseman/right-handed pitcher Kyle Wright high marks.
“He’s
got the college maturity already as a 16-year-old,” said Anderegg
of Wright, who went hitless in three times to bat Sunday. “He knows
how to pitch and just controls the tempo of the game. He’s very
good defensively at third and has good power and leverage at the
plate, but he’ll pitch in college.”
Wright,
who pitched a complete-game three-hitter with 10 strikeouts against
Full Count Baseball on Friday, described himself as “calm, relaxed
but aggressive” when he plays.
As
far as playing at the collegiate level goes, Wright said he is
focusing on Alabama, Auburn University and Mississippi State
University.
“Auburn’s
giving me a chance as a two-way guy and so is Alabama,” said
Wright, whose fastball topped out at 89 mph on Friday.
When
asked about what he will focus on position-wise after high school,
Wright appeared to be on the fence.
“I’d
prefer to pitch because that’s what I feel like I’m better at,
but I’d like some opportunities to hit,” Wright said.
To
wrap up the conversation, Anderegg said he is proud of Reed and
Wright.
“Just
two awesome guys, on and off the field,” Anderegg said.