3-17-11
Berkner vs. Tyler Lee Raiders
Berkner played the first game of the day against the Raiders of Tyler Lee HS to inaugurate the 2011 Yellow Rose Baseball Classic. Mickey Petty pitched for the Rams and got the Raiders to go in order in the top of the first, but allowed one bad pitch, twice, to the Raiders clean-up hitter who hit two solo home runs--one in the top of the 2nd and one in the top of the 4th. Berkner answered with a run in the bottom of the 4th on Josh Dickerson's RBI single plating Sam McNeese, but it was all they could do this afternoon against Lee's Blake Smith. Mickey scattered 8 hits and rung up 6 K's, but Lee was a bit better today, 3-1.
Berkner vs. West Trojans
Berkner was out to make a statement tonight as several players remembered the loss to West in last year's tournament. Sophomore Chris Cuellar took the mound against the Trojans and started out strong getting them in order in the top of the first. The offense kicked in tonight as the Rams plated 1 in the 1st, 1 more in the 2nd, 2 in the 3rd and 5 in the fourth. The power tonight came from the bat of Austin Roderick as he went 3-for-3 with 4 RBI's and scored 2 runs. Also of note was Aric Stock, who went 2-for-3 with 2 RBI's. All the while Cuellar's cruise control was well in motion as he held the Trojans to only 1 run on 3 hits while ringing up 6 K's. Berkner wins on a tournament run rule in 4 and a half, 9-1.
3-19-11
Berkner vs. Dallas Home School Association
Berkner played the last game of day 2 of pool play in the 2011 Yellow Rose Baseball Classic against the Angels of the Dallas Home School Athletic Association. A solid team, the Angels had just completed a come-from-behind victory over the Lee Raiders, but Berkner was up to the task tonight. Freshman pitcher, Jake Patterson took the mound and except for allowing two big hits and two runs in the top of the fourth, had the Angels baffled for the evening. Jake got the Angels to go in order in the first and then the offense spotted Jake a 4-run lead thanks to hits from Austin Roderick and Josh Dickerson. That was all that he needed as he allowed only 5 hits and 1 earned run on 11 strikeouts. Sam McNeese was good in relief and the Rams get the win, 5-2.
The Rams make the semi-final round and play Bixby, OK at Berkner @ 11:30 on Saturday morning.
3/19 11:30 am Bixby (OK) Spartans @ Berkner
Berkner played their semi-final game in the Yellow Rose Baseball Classic tournament against the Spartans from Bixby High School, Bixby, OK. The game began as a pitcher's duel with senior Austin Roderick taking the mound for the Rams and getting the Spartans to go in order in the 1st and 2nd. The Spartans got on the board first with a run in the top of the 3rd, but the Rams answered with 2 in the bottom of the inning on Spartan miscues. After the Spartans tied the game in top of the next inning, Roderick settled down again and things were quiet until the 6th, when Bixby scored 2. Berkner matched them to tie it again at 4 on a sacrifice bunt executed perfectly by Chris Cuellar. Josh Dickerson was brought in to pitch the last inning, but miscues allowed Bixby to get up by 3 after the top of the inning was done. Berkner however did not give up. Chris Folse reached on an error and Aric Stock took one for the team to put two on when Eric Schildt lost a pitch high in the trees behind the left field wall to tie it at 7. The Rams were still not done. Austin Roderick reached on an error and then on Colby Montemayor's single advanced all the way around on a Bixby fielding error to score the winning run: 8-7 Berkner.
3/19 4:30 pm @ Richardson: YRBC Finals
Berkner vs. ESD
Berkner vs Episcopal School of Dallas Eagles Flying high after a bottom of the 7th win over Tyler Lee Raiders, the Rams had their work cut out for them facing the Eagles of ESD. But the Rams had their own momentum. Aric Stock greeted the Eagles with a triple to the left center fence and scored on Eric Schildt's sacrifice fly. Sam McNeese walked and moved to 3rd on Austin Roderick's double, then Colby Montemayor's double to the right field corner plated Sam and Austin. Berkner scored 3 runs before ESD came to bat, and that was all that pitcher Josh Dickerson needed as he only allowed 1 run on 3 hits in 4 and a third innings. Berkner added 6 more in the top of the 5th to put ESD in a run-rule position at 9-1. Josh got the first out, and Sam McNeese faced only 1 batter but got him to hit into a double-play to end it. Berkner wins, 9-1 in 5 and is the 2011 RISD Yellow Rose Baseball Classic Champions!
Aric Stock and Eric Schildt were awarded All-Tournament player awards and Tournament MVP goes to Austin Roderick!
Congratulations to the Rams for an outstanding weekend of baseball! Berkner continues District play Tuesday night when they host the Longhorns of W.T. White.
