9/28/2014
Keyed by a seven-run 3rd inning, the St. Louis Gamers 18u (4-1-1) beat the Top Tier Americans 18u (2-1-1) Sunday afternoon at Jefferson HS to advance to the second round of the playoffs.
Three different players recorded multi-hit efforts for St. Louis, including: Ryan Mantle (2015, Linn, MO), Brandon Stuckenschneider (2015, Popular Bluff, MO) and Ben South (2015, Chesterfield, MO). Mantle walked, doubled, stole a base and scored twice, while Stuckenschneider walked and scored a run himself. South walked twice, scored and drove in a game-high four runs, including two on a double in the Gamers' seven-run 3rd inning.
Western Michigan commit Jesse Forestell (2015, Homewood, IL) hit a two-run homer to put Top Tier on the board in the 1st inning. Teammates Eric Giltz (2015, Warrenville, FL) and Hunter Fiorito (2015, Ottawa, IL) recorded two hits each. Giltz doubled and plated a run from the leadoff spot; Florito showed off his power with two extra-base hits: a double and a triple.
RHP John Howard (2015, St. Louis, MO) pitched all 6.0 innings for the Gamers, striking out five. The 6-foot, 190-pounder pounded the zone at 81-84 mph, peaking at 85. Howard also flashed a few mid-70s breaking pitches and a mid-70s changeup.
His opposing counterpart on the mound, RHP Hank Christie (2016, Oak Park, IL) fanned a pair in 2.0 innings. Christie worked in the 81-84 mph range, while offering a handful of low-70s breaking pitches.