The St. Vincent baseball team showed flashes of offensive life but ultimately lost two games in a home-and-home series with Jefferson, dropping a 9-8 decision on April 30 at Veterans Memorial Field at home in Perryville before falling 11-6 on May 1 in Festus.
In the opener on April 30, St. Vincent (6-12) battled throughout but couldn’t hold off a late Jefferson rally in a one-run loss.
The Indians finished with 10 hits and were led by Andrew Hotop, who went 2-for-3 with 2 runs and 2 walks. Gus Unterreiner added a strong performance at the plate, going 2-for-4 with 3 RBI, while Andrew Schumer was 1-for-4 with an RBI and a walk.
Gavin Hotop chipped in a 2-for-4 effort, and Tyler Hennemann added a hit and 2 RBI as St. Vincent built an early advantage.
The Indians scored 4 runs in the first inning and added single runs in the second and third before plating 2 more later in the game, but Jefferson answered with consistent production, finishing with 11 hits.
Cain Clifton started on the mound for St. Vincent and allowed 5 runs on 8 hits over 5 innings while striking out 7. Levi Schilling took the loss in relief, surrendering 4 runs on 3 hits over 2 innings.
Jefferson’s balanced lineup proved the difference, with multiple players recording multi-hit games and driving in runs in key moments to complete the comeback.
Despite the loss, St. Vincent head coach Corey Sauer said the Indians took a step forward offensively.
“We swung the bats, finally,” Sauer said. “Got some hits to fall, swung it well all day. The approach was there, and we hit their best arm well. That’s something we can build on.”
The two teams met again on May 1 in Festus, where Jefferson pulled away late for an 11-6 victory.
St. Vincent again produced at the plate with 7 hits, highlighted by Gavin Hotop, who went 2-for-3 with 2 runs and an RBI. Austin Unterreiner added a hit, a run and an RBI, while Cain Clifton drove in 2 runs.
Quinton Whistler had 2 hits and scored a run, and Andrew Hotop and Gus Unterreiner each added hits as the Indians kept pace early.
St. Vincent scored 3 runs in the second inning and added single runs in the third and fifth innings, but Jefferson responded with a big middle-inning surge and finished with 11 hits.
Tyler Hennemann started and allowed 3 runs (2 earned) over 1 inning, while Andrew Schumer took the loss after giving up 7 runs on 6 hits in 4 1/3 innings. Van Tallent added 2/3 of an inning in relief.
Jefferson’s offense was paced by a trio of hitters who combined for multiple extra-base hits and RBI, helping the Blue Jays pull away late.
While the results didn’t go St. Vincent’s way, Sauer said the offensive improvements were encouraging as the postseason approaches.
“Our bats finally woke up,” Sauer said. “If we play like that going into districts, we’re going to be just fine. We just need to find a way to win, somehow, someway.”
Windsor 12, St. Vincent 9
IMPERIAL — St. Vincent couldn’t overcome a big early deficit on April 29, falling 12-9 to Windsor despite a late push.
Windsor struck early with 2 runs in the 1st and added 6 more in the 2nd to take control before St. Vincent chipped away throughout the game.
The Indians finished with 9 runs on 10 hits, led by Andrew Hotop, who went 2-for-4 with 3 runs and an RBI. Gavin Hotop delivered a strong performance, going 3-for-3 with 3 RBI, while Gus Unterreiner added a pair of hits and drove in 1.
Quinton Whistler contributed a 1-for-3 day with an RBI, and Trenten Welker added a hit and scored a run. Tyler Hennemann also drove in 2 runs.
St. Vincent scored 2 runs in the 3rd, 2 more in the 4th, and 2 in the 5th to get back into the game before adding single runs late, but couldn’t complete the comeback.
Windsor matched St. Vincent with 12 hits and was led by Nolan Lawrence, who went 3-for-5 with 3 RBI. Jett Black added a 2-for-5 performance with an RBI, while Lincoln Forchee, Ethan Shirk and Brody Green each contributed multi-hit efforts.
Avery Brown took the loss for St. Vincent, allowing 4 runs (4 earned) on 4 hits over 2 innings. Quinton Whistler followed with 2 innings, giving up 4 runs (2 earned), while Van Tallent allowed 4 runs over 1 1/3 innings. Andrew Schumer recorded the final outs in relief.
Gavin Scott earned the win for Windsor, allowing 6 runs (5 earned) over 4 innings while striking out 3.
