Baseball: Bartlett's bats come alive in win over Larkin

Having had last weekend's trip downstate canceled, Bartlett's baseball team hasn't played as many games as most other teams.

However, the Hawks have made the most of the games they've played.

Bartlett improved its record to 3-0 on the young season with Tuesday's 14-9 Upstate Eight Conference victory over visiting Larkin (1-5, 0-2).

After a scoreless first inning, the Hawks (2-0 in UEC play) put crooked numbers on the scoreboard in each of the next 5 frames while consistently applying pressure to the Royals' pitching staff.

Senior catcher Matt Angelone led the Hawks' 13-hit attack, going 3 for 4 with 3 RBI.

Ironically, the hardest hit ball of Angelone's day came in the first inning when he lined out to Larkin center fielder Thomas Woodruff.

"Even though I didn't hit the next three as hard as the first one, they dropped," said Angelone, whose 2-run single in the fourth upped the Hawks' lead to 7-2.

"That's what happens in baseball. You've got to love when it happens. I'm just glad they (the hits) got down."

Bartlett coach Devin Rosen was equally pleased with Angelone's work behind the plate.

"He did a good job especially in a long game like this," said Rosen. "He stayed focused the whole time. He's an all-conference player for a reason."

Matt Lewandowski (2 for 4) and Nate Euliano (1 for 4, triple) each drove in a pair of runs for the Hawks while Nathan Gargano also enjoyed a 2-hit game.

Sam Mallinas, Mike Vaca and Blake Oliver all knocked in a run for Bartlett while sophomore right-hander Nick Kantzavelos allowed 2 runs over 3 1/3 innings to record the victory.

"Nick did a great job," said Rosen. "Pitching-wise, we need to throw more strikes but under the (chilly) conditions it was tough.

"We're trying to play everybody we can here early to make up for the lost games."

Zach Hubbard smacked a 2-run double to get the Royals on the board in the fourth while Max Anderson (4 walks) and Eddie Wisser each drove in a pair of runs.

Tayshon Erdman finished with a pair of hits while Devin Arendt doubled and scored 2 runs for Larkin, which scored all 9 of its runs over the final 4 innings while also stranding 10 runners for the contest.

"That's the big thing with this group is showing that fight," said Royals coach Niko Morado. "It's tough to come back inning after inning and chip away but our guys are doing that.

"We were just a couple bug hits away from breaking those innings open and matching that 14 (runs) or possible even more. We're having good at-bats and we're getting guys on base. Now we have to find a way to get them in."

Wisser pitched the first 5⅓ innings for the Royals.

"Eddie battled for us," said Morado. "He gave us the opportunity to fight back."