Bremen Athletics

Bremen opened Sectional #34 on Wednesday night with a 10-0 win in five innings. Backed by a great defensive effort, starting pitcher JJ Cencelewski only needed 49 pitches to pick up the complete game win. The Lions' offense got contributions one through nine, and came through with a number of clutch two-out hits to pull away. The win puts Bremen at 18-7 on the season, and they will take on Knox on Friday at 5pm in the second round. The first two Lancer batters reached on singles to open the game, but Cencelewski stranded both runners, getting Bremen up to bat. Although the Lions didn't get a hit and struck out twice, they managed to score a run in the frame. Leadoff man Jace Pippenger reached on a HBP, stole second, and came around to score on a passed ball third strike to make it 1-0. After a seven pitch, 1-2-3 top of the 2nd, Bremen got two more runs in the bottom of the inning. With two outs, Jack Wildauer and Landon Bates walked and stole their way to 2nd and 3rd. Pippenger ripped a two strike single past first base to put the Lions up 3-0 heading to the third. Cencelewski went 1-2-3 again, this time on only five pitches. Bremen loaded the bases in the bottom half, but could not get one across. It took the lefty Cencelewski nine pitches to work his third straight 1-2-3 inning in the 4th, putting him at 4 innings on only 31 total pitches. The Lions would reward his efficient work with a four run bottom of the inning to make it 7-0. After Bates walked and advanced on a sac bunt from Pippenger, Zack Rouch blasted a home run to right on the 8th pitch of the at bat, electrifying the Bremen dugout and crowd. Later in the inning, Cencelewski would score on a single by Aiden Alvarado, and Zack Buszkiewicz would come in on a ground out from Max Barnes. A quick top of the 5th got Bremen back up to bat, needing three to end the game. Bates opened with a double, Pippenger and Rouch both walked - with Bates scoring on a passed ball. Cencelewski singled to left, scoring Pippenger and courtesy runner Maddux Hickman to end the game at 10-0. The Lions will look to carry the momentum into the second round on Friday, when they will take on Knox at 5pm. Wednesday, May 27th - Sectional Round 1 Bremen 10 LaVille 0 Hitters 2B Jace Pippenger: 1-1, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, HBP, 2 SB C Zack Rouch: 1-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB 1B Landon Bates: 1-1, 2B, 3 R, 2 BB, SB Pitcher SP JJ Cencelewski: 5.0 IP, W, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K 49P (38S) // 1-2, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SB