by Trent Sternberg
The Musketeers traveled to Plummer Park in Edwardsville for a double header against Wesclin on May 1. The game was played on turf at the Plummer Sports complex due to the recent rain. This conference matchup would be a deciding factor in how the standings would end up as Wesclin was 4-2 and Red Bud was 5-1.
Red Bud played as the home team in the first matchup and had a hard time trying to hit Wesclin’s lefty ace. The Musketeers sent Derek Whelan to the mound, and he also dictated the game and it was proven to be a pitcher’s duel.
Red Bud managed to score a run in the bottom of the second inning on a beautiful bunt by Barrett Wagner which was thrown away allowing the run to score. After the game was tied 1 to 1 there was not much action until the bottom of the sixth. Lucas Schwartzkopf bunted a single and then was moved over by Trent Sternberg’s sacrifice bunt. Whelan gave the final blow and drove Schwartzkopf home giving Red Bud the 2-1 lead. They held on thanks to Whelan’s seven innings, only allowing five hits while striking out seven without giving up an earned run.
For more on the Musketeers, please see this week’s print edition.