TINLEY PARK, IL - The Hall Red Devils made the 80 mile drive east to take on No. 13 Andrew Thunderbolts on Thursday evening. Hall, a 2A school with an enrollment just over 400, gave the Thunderbolts all they could handle, but in the end came up just short, losing 2-1.

Andrew started the game in commanding fashion as starting pitcher Nolan Fasel retired the side in order. Leadoff man, Austin Peay commit, Mike Carey reached base on a bunt, and, Wichita St. commit, Jake Plastiak followed with a single over the shortstops head. Kevin Bushnell successfully laid down a bunt to move the runners over, setting up Scott Youngbrandt, a St. Louis commit. Hall starting pitcher, Parkland JC commit, Ty Rybarczyk was unfazed though, running his fastball up to 89 mph as he struck Youngbrandt out. Rybarczyk would escape the first inning with no damage.

It was not until the third inning that the deadlock was broken. Andrew CF Mike McGrail started the inning off with a single to right field, turning over the lineup. Mike Carey followed with his second hit of the game. Plastiak moved McGrail over to third with a grounder up the middle, but at the cost of an out at second base. The run would around to score on Bushnell’s pop up to right field.

Hill answered back with a run of their own in the fifth inning. Chance Resetich singled up the middle to begin the inning and then stole second base. Fasel was able to strikeout the next two batters, but could not get out of the jam as freshman Trez Rybarczyk singled to right field, tying the game at 1-1.

Bushnell began the sixth inning for Andrew by blasting a double to the left wall. Rybarczyk was able to get the following two batters to fly out. With two outs, pinch runner Tim Rickey stole third base. Jimmy Carey would get the job done, singling up the middle to score the go-ahead run.

Fasel returned for the seventh inning and finished the game by rolling up a 5-4-3 double play. Fasel went the full seven innings for the win, scattering five hits, striking out five and issuing zero walks. Offensively, the Thunderbolts were led by Mike Carey who collected three hits, and Bushnell who went 1-for-1, with a double and a run batted in.

For Hall, Ty Rybarczyk went the distance, allowing two runs on seven hits, striking out six and walking none. Five Red Devils recorded a hit in the game, Trez Rybarczyk recoded the only run batted in, finishing 1-for-3.

For more in-depth notes from the game - and all other games that we cover - visit the Illinois Scout Blog later.

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