Brocke Key in Spartan's Season Opener Victory
FAIRFAX, VA - The Spartan's 2008 campaign didn't start as planned as the wet conditions forced the opening game to move away from Broad Run's newly lighted field, to the windy confines of the George Mason Mustangs. Their trip to Fairfax would also mark the first time the team would see live pitching, as the past weekend's weather cancelled all planned scrimmages. However, the Spartans started the season in similar fashion, as the defending Dulles District champions walked away with a hard fought 2-1 win.
At the Mustang's home field, the game was a pitching duel as both the Mustang's Mike Straub and the Spartan's Cole Shain kept both teams scoreless through the first three innings.
In the top of the 4th, the Broad Run struck first when Andrew Mann reached 1st on a throwing error. Back to back singles by Spartan seniors Shain and Adam Luhmann drove Mann across for the first run of the game. The Spartan's welcomed back Luhmann, who missed the entire 2007 season, due to a football injury and is now in the cleanup slot in the batting order.
Defense and pitching kept the Mustangs scoreless through the first five innings, with only 1 player being able to get into scoring position during that span. In the bottom of the 6th with two outs, the Mustangs were able to capitalize on a series of Spartan's misfires and scored the tying run, even though they were hitless in the inning. Going into the 7th both teams were knotted at 1-1.
The Spartan's led of in the top of the 7th inning with a single by senior Trey Brocke. Brocke then moved to second on a delayed steal which caused the Mustang pitcher to balk, and then reached 3rd base on a passed ball. Senior catcher Tommy Meier lifted a deep sacrifice fly to score Brocke from 3rd putting the Spartans up 2-1. Brocke then shut down the Mustang hitters in order preserve the 2-1 win.
