Strong Pitching Performance Gives Plainfield Win Over Roncalli
April 24, 2012
Plainfield opened up a busy week with a 4-2 victory over Roncalli behind a strong pitching performance from junior Matt Keltner. Keltner, a 6'4 righty, allowed just two unearned runs and struck out five Rebels over six innings of work. Sophomore standout Gabe Burkhart looked strong at the plate lacing two line drive singles. Cincinnati commit Colin Hawk was 1-3 on the evening with a single and RBI. Sophomore Gunner Wells picked up the save for the Quakers.
Roncalli:
2012 Chase Steinbrunner RHP
Steinbrunner is a 6'0 average body type RHP in the 2012 class. He shows good command of a fastball that sits 79-81 with some sink and a 10/4 slider that breaks late and is effective when he can get it in the zone. Steinbrunner throws from a 3/4 arm angle and lands closed hiding the ball from the batter. His breaking ball is a pitch with a lot of potential when around the plate.
Plainfield:
2013 Matt Keltner RHP
Keltner stands 6'4 and delivers with a high 3/4 arm slot. Free arm action and average arm speed have his fastball sitting 79-81. Two breaking balls, a 12/6 curve and a slider, break late and can be thrown for strikes between 69-70 mph. Keltner could project to throw harder with his frame as he stays level and is not a max effort guy.
2014 Gabe Burkhart 1B
A big, solid righty, Burkhart projects big power while displaying confidence and good footwork in the field. The prototype size for a 1B, Burkhart seems to have a high baseball IQ. In the field he has a long, high 3/4 arm with decent hands and fluid feet. At the plate he sets up balanced and uses a short stride to get the bat through level and quick. Burkhart should be a high follow in the 2014 class.