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By John Nolan
Assistant Director of Scouting/Content Management 

Burke-Friday night saw a matchup of the top two teams in Patriot Conference 7 as No. 14 Lake Braddock hosted No. 24 West Springfield. Both teams had only one loss entering the game, Braddock’s was to Paul VI Catholic and West Springfield’s a conference loss to Annandale. Both teams sent seniors to the mound as West Springfield tabbed Jacob Kisner for the start and Braddock went with lefty Andy Shreves.

West Springfield jumped out to an early lead as Shreves got off to a rough start, loading the bases in the first inning with no outs on a hit-by-pitch, a single, and a walk. After getting the first out on a strikeout, junior centerfielder Isaak Lyons singled to right, driving in two runs. After another walk loaded the bases again, Shreves punched out the next two hitters to end the threat and minimize the damage.

Jacob Kisner worked quickly through the first three innings, allowing two base hits and facing just one batter over the minimum. Shreves also settled in, throwing a perfect second and working around a two-out hit-by-pitch in the third. For velocities and scouting information on Kisner and Shreves, check the Virginia/DC Scout Blog early next week. Both pitchers had to work a bit harder in their fourth innings as they each allowed two baserunners.

After a pair of one-out singles in the top of the fifth, Lake Braddock went to the bullpen in the middle of an at bat to bring in junior righty Carter Strain. Strain ended up walking the batter to load the bases, but then got a strikeout and a flyout to keep the West Springfield lead 2-0.

The bottom of the fifth opened with Kisner getting a pop out and then issuing a walk before sophomore leftfielder Will Reid singled to third base to put the tying run on base. After getting the second out on a strikeout, West Springfield went to the pen and brought Isaak Lyons in from centerfield to face the top of the order. Sophomore first baseman Matt Thomas welcomed him with a single to right center, driving in the first Bruin run. The Bruins tied the game up when senior Nate Contrino rolled a ball into the 3.5 hole that was misplayed by the Spartan second baseman. Lyons was able to end the threat two batters later and the game went to the sixth inning tied at two.

With one out in the top of the sixth, West Springfield senior catcher Matt Stallings (VCU) reached on an error. He then stole second base. With two outs, centerfielder Tom Susa ripped a ball towards the leftfield that sophomore third baseman Jack Darcy was able to snag with a dive, Darcy’s throw got away from the first baseman, allowing Stallings to score the go-ahead run.

In the bottom of the sixth, Lake Braddock got the tying run on base with a one out walk and the Spartans again went to the bullpen, this time bringing in junior shortstop Jake Williams. Williams allowed another runner to reach base on a single, but ended the threat to send the game to the seventh with West Springfield clinging to a 3-2 lead.

Strain worked a scoreless top of the seventh, bringing the Bruins to the plate with the top of the order due up. Williams struck out Matt Thomas to start the inning, and then issued a walk to Contrino, putting the tying run on base. Williams was able to strike out senior catcher Logan Driscoll (George Mason) and got Darcy to fly out to left to lock down the save and the win for the Spartans.

Final stat lines for the Spartans, on the mound Kisner went 4 2/3 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 2 K. Lyons earned the win with 2/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, while also going 2-3 at the plate, with a BB, SB, and 2 RBI. Williams earned a save with 1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K. Stallings went 0-2 at the plate with an IBB, HBP, SB, and 2 runs scored. Susa went 1-3 with a BB and 2 SB. Josh Kisner went 1-2 with 2 BB. The Spartans continue Conference 7 play next week as they travel to West Potomac on Tuesday and host Annandale on Thursday.

For the Bruins, Shreves went 4 1/3 IP 2 R, 5 H, 2 HBP, 4 BB, 7 K. Strain took the loss, going 2 2/3 IP, 1 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 4 K. Offensively, Contrino was 1-3 with a BB. Thomas went 1-4 with an RBI. Darcy was 1-4. Reid was 2-3 with a run scored. Brent Spille was 1-2 with a BB and a run scored. The Bruins return to action Tuesday night as they host Conference 7 foe T.C. Williams and then travel to W.T. Woodson on Friday.