Baseball: Anxious Burlington Central put on hold again

Despite an unpromising weather forecast, the Burlington Central baseball team was anxious to play Friday.

The Rockets did get to take the field for awhile and their enthusiasm showed as they pushed across 9 runs in just 2 innings against Marengo.

The game was suspended with Marengo batting in the top of the third and will be completed at a later date.

Just getting on the field has been something of an achievement this season.

"They wanted to play ball today," said Central coach Kyle Nelson. "They've been champing at the bit. They've been anxious to play, and when we haven't been able to play it's been hard to practice because it's been raining out or 10 degrees. I thought they did a great job coming out excited and ready to play ball today."

The Rockets wasted no time, scoring 6 times in the first inning. They stroked 4 hits and took advantage of Marengo starter Danny Schenk's wildness. Paddy McKermitt started the festivities with a double to right field. A triple to the gap by Andrew Griffin brought in a run. McKermitt's second hit of the inning plated the final run. The Rockets also received the benefit of 4 walks and 4 wild pitches in the cold, windy conditions.

Central added 3 more with 2 outs in the second. Ryan Knowlton doubled to get things started. Zach Schutta and Ethan Krieger walked, and everybody scored on Griffin's double.

Zach Zuiker started on the mound for BC. He gave up a 2-out, run-scoring double to Tyler Markert in the second but was otherwise solid.

It's unknown when the Rockets (6-4) will play again. Their game scheduled for Saturday against Barrington has already been scrubbed.