Shamrocks Beat Tigers For First Conference Win In Nine Years

The Shamrocks (2-4) surprised the St. James Tigers (1-4) with a 7-4 home win in their rematch on Thursday, Apr. 4.

New Haven sought vengeance after St. James beat them 6-1 weeks prior. Head coach Aaron Peirick noted that his squad was much better in the field and at the plate compared to their first game against St. James. “We were good. We had a bunch of guys make plays, make some really big plays for us. And we had guys up-and-down the lineup do their job too,” he said.

Peirick was also proud of the Shamrocks for breaking their nine-year drought of no conference wins. The last time they beat a conference opponent was on Mar. 28, 2015 against the same Tigers with a score of 20-9.

St. James came in hot with two runs during the top of the 1st.

Then, when New Haven came up to the plate, they racked up five scores to put them ahead. Leadoff batter Ryan Steinbeck got things rolling for the Shamrocks by doubling on a grounder. He then snuck up and stole 3rd base when Trevor Hinten was at bat. After singling, Hinten stole 2nd, and Steinbeck took home. Andrew Noelke would fire off a grounder that gave Hinten the chance to tie it 2-2. As St. James pitcher Zachary Keehn walked three batters in a row; Gerdes, Noelke, and Austin Bradley seized the opportunity to drive up a 5-2 lead.

When the Tigers returned to offense, they rallied with two scores to cut it to a one-run deficit.

The Shamrocks found their rhythm again on offense in the bottom of the 4th. Noelke picked up his second game run on Michael McFerrin’s walk, and Jace Ritchie put the final nail in the coffin for the Tigers by punching it home on Steinbeck’s grounder.

Hinten pitched for the Shamrocks until the top of the 7th. He struck out eight on the hill, while giving up 6 hits and 4 earned runs. Peirick praised Hinten for “pitching his tail off” against the Tigers.

He also thanked Noelke for “shutting the door” on St. James by only giving up a hit during the final inning.

Submit your sports photos to sports@sullivannews.net for a chance to be in the paper!