Apr. 10—Lyle-Pacelli senior Landon Meyer proved he can fit in on the mound, just as well as he can at first base as he guided the Athletics baseball team to a home opening 18-0 win in five innings over Schaeffer Academy (0-1 overall) in Marcusen Park Tuesday.
Meyer struck out 10 hitters, while yielding just one infield hit in the five-inning shutout victory. In years past, Meyer served primarily as a first baseman, with some spot mound starts mixed in for an LP team that has played in the last two Class A state tournaments. However, he'll likely see more time on the mound this season.
"We lost three big seniors who all threw big innings last year and I knew I would have to step up," Meyer said. "I put in a lot of work over the offseason and we did a lot of live ABs to prepare. I like being up there (on the mound) and being in control of the game and the tempo. The team kind of relies on you and I like that."
LP (3-1 overall) came out swinging at the plate and Hunter VaDeer put an exclamation point on the attack when he blasted a three-run homer into the wind in left to put LP up 13-0 in the third. VaDeer, who already has two homers this spring, finished with four RBIs.
VaDeer came into the season ready to go after a hard workout routine in the offseason.
"We had a ton of guys this offseason putting in work with hitting, throwing and whatever we needed to do," VaDeer said. "We've had some of the younger guys coming in too. We're all working to get our swings better."
VaDeer, who has served as LP's ace for the past few seasons, said it's good to have Meyer on the mound this season.
"He obviously did a good job today with no runs allowed," VaDeer said. "What else can you ask for? He's getting guys out and getting weak ground balls in play."
LP's younger players chipped in during the win as freshman Grady Meyer had two doubles and two RBIs and freshman Dawson Jenkins had a double and three RBIs.
"They've worked their tails off and it's pretty easy to work with the younger guys on the team," Landon Meyer said. "The message is clear. We want to get back to state and hopefully we get a chance at a state title."
SA 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 1 4
LP 3 6 4 5 X — 18 14 0
LP pitching: Landon Meyer, 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 10 K
LP hitting: Grady Meyer, 2-for-3, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs, 4 R, BB; Landon Meyer, 3-for-3, RBI, 4 R, SB, BB; Hunter VaDeer, 2-for-4, HR, 4 RBIs, 2 SB, 2 R; Logyn Brooks, 1-for-3, RBI, 2 SB, 2 R, HBP; Dawson Jenkins, 3-for-4, double, 3 RBIs, 2 SB; Isaac Small, 0-for-4, RBI; Case Koopal, 0-for-2, BB, R; Joseph Schulte, 0-for-1, HBP, SB, R; Banning Korfhage, 2-for-2, 3 R, SB, BB; Hunter Wollenburg, 1-for-1, RBI, R; Jake Kiker, 0-for-1
