By Chris Collias
Regional Scout

Brother Rice and Detroit Catholic Central squared off to open league play on a blustery day at Rice’s brand new facility.  Although it was cold, there were plenty of fireworks.

Rice’s ace, junior right hander Matt Ruppenthal, matched up against Central Catholic’s Mitch Sykes, a crafty southpaw in the opening game of the twin bill.  Ruppenthal had a shaky outing as he struggled with commanding his mid-upper 80’s fastball, curveball and changeup.  After walking two and striking out two in the first, he breezed through the second while recording another punch out.  After getting two quick outs in the top of the third, the wheels slowly started to come off for the Warriors.  After Ruppenthal issued his second walk to start the inning, Head Coach Bob Riker was ejected after arguing balls and strikes with the umpire.  Ruppenthal walked the next batter to load the bases and then hit junior Chris Dulzo to bring in the first run of the game.  Following another walk, senior Nathan Wierzgac, a Lee University (Tenn.) commit lined a single to left to score two more Shamrocks.  Ruppenthal managed to right the ship by striking out CC senior Robert Gustitus to end the inning.

Meanwhile, CC’s Mitch Sykes kept the Warriors off balance by using a three pitch mix.  His low 80’s fastball was complemented by a ¾ tilt curveball with late bite and depth and a changeup with sink.  He recorded four strikeouts in the first two innings before sophomore Nick Plummer scored the Warriors’ first run in the third.  Sykes kept his poise and commanded the strike zone with relative ease until the Warrior half of the fifth, when they scored 5 runs highlighted by a two run double off the bat of Sophomore Alex Malzone to take a 7-4 lead.  Sykes was relieved by senior righty Robert Gustitus.

Heading in to the top of the 7^th, Ruppenthal’s struggles with command continued.  He walked the first two hitters, gave up three straight singles and then the big blow came when Nathan Wierzgac stepped up and hit a three run shot over the left field fence to seal an improbable come from behind victory. 

Rice could not muster a comeback in the bottom of the seventh as Gustitus was credited with the in an intense and exciting league opener.