Game Recap: Five Points (Creighton Prep) vs. PrimeTime (Omaha Burke)

A dominant starting pitching performance helped lead Creighton Prep to a convincing win Wednesday-night league win over Burke 7-1. 

After a double play left the bases loaded in the first inning for Prep, the bats exploded over the middle innings to break open the game at Jurgensen Park.

Prep (12-6) finally cashed in on a big hit from junior Ryan Bauer who extended its lead to 4-0 in the third frame. From there, the Prep offense strung together hit after hit as they poured on six runs over the course of the third and fourth innings to put away the Bulldogs.

The Jr. Jays were anchored by an outstanding performance on the mound from senior Will Volenec. Over the course of his seven-inning complete game, he allowed just five hits while striking out four, with the only run crossing on a passed ball. Volenec, a Southeast CC commit, used his fastball to get ahead in counts which sat around 81-84 mph from the ¾ slot  in the early going, using his changeup as a wipeout pitch, clocking in around 67-69 mph.

Senior Brock Laney, uncommitted, was impressive at the plate as he finished the game going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. His double kicked off the big third inning, taking a fastball outside down the left field line. With two-on in the fourth frame, Laney delivered the final blow on a line drive back up the middle plating two and putting Prep up 7-0.

Burke got one back in the seventh inning after a one-out triple from senior Ramon King. He was the one real standout for the Bulldogs as he reached base twice after fighting off a curveball on the hands to punch a base hit into right field. A passed ball scored King, following the triple, to cut the Jr. Jay lead to six, with Volenec rebounding and getting a groundball to end the game.

The triple from King was one of three Burke hits that made it out of the infield off Volenec as he worked ahead of hitters with a dominant fastball all night. Only one batter reached base via the walk, as he pounded the strike zone and forced the Bulldogs into unfavorable counts.

With the victory, Prep moves to 7-1 in league play with two games remaining as Burke drops to 5-2 with two game left for the Bulldogs.

Other Standouts:

+ Parker Mooney (Prep) 2-3, BB

+ Drew Jensen (Prep) 2-4, 2 runs scored, 

+ Coby Hatcher (Prep) 2-4, RBI

+ Ryan Bauer (Prep) 1-3, 2 RBIs

+ Ramon King (Burke) 2-3. triple, run scored