Bremen Athletics

On a frigid Friday evening, Varsity baseball traveled to Knox and took care of business, returning home with a 13-6 victory and a 6-0 conference record. A number of Lions had big games at the plate and on the bases, allowing the team to get 18 players into a game that ended up getting tight for a moment in the late innings. Early on, starting pitcher JJ Cencelewski cruised through four scoreless innings while the Bremen lineup added runs at a steady pace. The Lion middle infield duo of Alvarado and Pippenger went a combined 5-8 with 2 R and 4 RBI in the contest. Outfielders Zack Buszkiewicz and Corban Van Vuren reached base a combined 6 times, scoring 5 runs combined. The Bremen bats came out hot on a near-freezing day, scoring three in the top of the first. Van Vuren and Rouch had back to back singled and scored on a two-run knock from Zack Buszkiewicz. He came in to score on Jace Pippenger's RBI single, putting Bremen up 3-0. That would prove enough for starting pitcher JJ Cencelewski. The lefty worked four quick innings, scattering two hits and two walks while striking out three. He didn't allow a run en route to his second conference win in three tries. The Lions put up three more in the third with some ground balls and good old fashioned hustle. Buszkiewicz, Max Barnes, Pippenger, and Jack Wildauer all put balls on the ground and got themselves into scoring position - advancing on a series of errors and throws. Corban Van Vuren opened the fourth with a long triple, setting off a four run rally and pushing the total to 10-0 Lions. Zack Rouch had a sac fly, Alvarado drilled an RBI double, and Max Barnes scored two with a liner to center. Cencelewski set down the side in the fourth and exited with a comfortable lead. Things got a little dicey from there. The Lions made a number of subs in the 5th and Knox took advantage. The Redskins grabbed two runs on after a run of walks loaded the bases. Bremen was able to get back into 10 run territory in the 6th after Landon Bates singled home Hernan Mejia and Aaron Jimenez. Knox trimmed it back down again, scoring three without recording a hit. Cole Mason came on to pitch and recorded the final out of the inning with the Lions leading 12-6, returning the starters to the game. Bremen added a 13th run on Aiden Alvarado's third hit of the game - an RBI single to left to score Cencelewski. Senior Zack Buszkiewicz took the ball in the bottom of the 7th and got the final three outs to lock up the Lions' 8th win in 9 tries. With the victory, Bremen now sits at 6-0 in conference and 8-1 overall. They will head to Northwood on Saturday, with an 11am first pitch scheduled in Nappanee. Friday, May 1st Bremen 13 Knox 6 Hitters SS Aiden Alvarado: 3-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI 2B Jace Pippenger: 2-4, R, 2 RBI CF Corban Van Vuren: 2-2, 2 R, BB, SB 1B Landon Bates: 1-3, 2 RBI, BB, 2 SB Pitchers SP JJ Cencelewski: 4.0 IP, W, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K // 1-3, R, 2 BB, RP Zack Buszkiewicz: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 K // 1-2, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 HBP, SB