Ste. Genevieve, Missouri – Valle Catholic once again prevailed over the Bernie Mules rallying from a 2-0 second inning deficit by scoring three runs in the bottom of the third and secured their 3-2 Class 2 baseball quarterfinal victory.
“We are hurting right now,” commented Bernie baseball coach Darrin Shipman. “it is one of those games where we had a couple close calls that didn’t go our way and they capitalized on them. You have to give them credit because they capitalized that one inning.”
Bernie collected two runs off of four hits in the second inning. Brock Beacham got things going with a lead-off walk then Owen Foster and Gavin Brown hit a couple of singles. Brown’s hit scored a runner from third putting the Mules on the scoreboard first. Owen Foster scored from third base on a wild pitch to give the Mules their second run.
“Our kids played great,” stated Shipman. “Devin and Brock threw great and our defense was good. There was just that one inning, and that one call that was close, and I don’t know if he was out or safe. It was close. They got the call and they went on and got two big hits and scored three big runs after that.”
“Then we had a chance there in the end,” continued Shipman. “That’s what I love about this team. They don’t quit and we battled and gave ourselves one more chance in the seventh inning. I was sure hoping we would pull it off and come back again, but you have to give them credit. They are state champions for a reason.”
Valle Catholic tallied three runs in the bottom of the third inning. Andrew Basler allowed three runs on four hits, struck out six and walked two as winning pitcher.
“I told the kids I thought we were a little over aggressive on pitches in the dirt,” Shipman said. We swung at several in the dirt. He kept throwing his curveball in the dirt and we kept going after it and a few high fastballs. But give him credit also. He settled down, kept the ball down and we hit a lot of ground balls and they made the plays. Again, they are state champions for a reason.”
Bernie’s Brock Beacham relieved Devin Trammell in the final two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Trammell allowed only five hits the entire game.
“I thought he threw the ball great,” Shipman said of Trammell. “He kept it down. They hit a few good balls on him, but for the most part he got a lot of ground balls and we made the plays. I thought he was outstanding. Again, one close call at first of being out of the inning with no runs scored. I though he pitched great and our defense played well behind him.”
Bernie ends their season with an impressive 24-6 record, one of the best seasons in Bernie history. Matt Vernon and starting pitcher Devin Trammell both graduated this year from Bernie High School, but the Mules will return seven starters.
“Just a wonderful season,” continued Shipman. “I told the kids hopefully this will motivate us to want to do it again next year. We were one step closer and we have the opportunity to get better over the summer and fall and make another run at it next year.”
Final Score Valle Catholic 3, Bernie 2
Bernie 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 - 2 4 0
Valle Catholic 0 0 3 0 0 0 X - 3 6 1
WP – Andrew Basler. LP – Devin Trammell. 2B – Daniel Berstheldt (V). Multiple Hits – Berstheldt 2-3 (VC).
