VCA Baseball Struggles vs. La Lumiere

LaPorte, IN - The Victory Christian Academy Lions entered Saturday's double header with the La Lumiere Lakers confident they could compete for a win.  A one run loss earlier in the month at the hands of the Lakers coupled with the fact that the Lakers had not played in two weeks due to weather bolstered those expectations. Instead, the Lions looked like the team that had two weeks of rust from not playing, dropping both games of the double header, 8-0 and 10-0.

Although it was sunny and about 60 degrees at game time, weather definitely played a factor in the outcome.  The wind was blowing in from right field at a sustained 15-20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph affecting pop ups and throws.

Austin Thomas (1-3) took the hill for the visiting Lions (4-5) in game one and looked sharp throwing just under 75% of his pitches for strikes.  Thomas gave up eight runs, but only three of them were earned due to the Lions committing nine errors in the field.  Marty Mahoney started for the Lakers and pitched six strong innings allowing no runs on only one hit.  He struck out seven and walked none.  The Lakers Friedman pitched the seventh inning, closing out the game and preserving the shutout.

Offensively, the Lions couldn't get anything going against Mahoney, while the Lakers were taking advantage of every Lions miscue.  Matt Jelinek led the Lakers with two hits, three runs and two RBIs.  The Lions got a scare when Mahoney collided with Jon Walker at the plate in the first inning.  Mahoney was trying to score while Walker reacting to a high throw, leaving him in a vulnerable position.  Walker had the wind knocked out of him and was able to finish the day behind the plate.

Justin Reisinger started game two for the Lions and gave up six earned runs on six hits.  He struck out five and walked five.  Calvin Reisinger pitched the final inning for the Lions and gave up four runs on two hits and two walks.  Anton Kobe pitched a complete game no-hitter for the Lakers, only allowing three runners on base.  He struck out four and walked one.

Matt Jelinek again led the Lakers with three hits and three runs.  Marty Mahoney had two hits and scored twice, while Benz Culbertson, Zach Wisniewski and Anton Kobe each singled once in the game.

The Lions next game is against the Hammond Academy of Science and Technology on Monday, May 2 at Riverside Park just off of 80/94 and Calumet in Hammond.  Game time is at 5 PM.