Pitching depth carries Jacobs past Batavia

Jamie Murray has the luxury most high school baseball coaches don't have.

The Jacobs fourth-year coach can employ a quality starter each game before getting to reliable closer in junior Johny Rohde.

Those ingredients worked for the Golden Eagles in Saturday's 4-1 nonconference win over Batavia in Algonquin.

The Eagles (14-3) received 6 strong innings from winning pitcher senior Ryan George (3-0). George gave up a first-inning run on a RBI single by Kyle Niemiec for the Bulldogs' lone run of the game.

In the last 5 innings, George stymied Batavia on 1 single. He struck out six with 1 walk.

"My sinker was really working well," said George. "With my defense, if I get a groundball, the play will be made."

Rohde, a hard throwing right hander, registered his sixth save in as many opportunities. In pitching a perfect seventh, Rohde struck out two.

"We are 10-deep pitching wise," said Murray. "We believe we will get a good pitched game every game. Ryan was outstanding today and Johny has done a great job as the closer for us all season."

Batavia junior left-hander Ben Lynam matched George pitch for pitch for 4 innings.

Lynam, perfect through 3 innings with 4 strikeouts, allowed his first base runner as Jacobs leadoff hitter Mike Addante started the fourth by reaching base on a walk.

Jacobs' first hit came from Matt Kozlak, which moved Addante to second.

Lynam was able to wiggle out of the jam and Batavia held a 1-0 advantage after 4 innings.

The bottom of the fifth turned prosperous for Jacobs and disastrous for the visiting Bulldogs.

Aided by 2 Batavia errors, Jacobs scored 4 runs to seize control of the game.

Number 8 hitter Dan Tenayuca delivered a 2-run single and Kozlak collected a run-scoring single for the victorious Golden Eagles.

"We have found ways to win this season," said Murray. "We struggled with the bats a little but this was a 28 man effort today. It was a good win against a good team."

Batavia coach Matt Holm is happy with his pitching but hopes the hitting comes around.

"Our staff is seven deep and we are getting good pitching," said Holm. "I took Ben out because it was the third time around the order for Jacobs. If we start hitting, we could be a good team."