Verrado wins Over Youngker in a Hard-Fought Victory
In a solid all-around performance, the Verrado Varsity baseball team secured a 7-4 win over Youngker in a tightly contested game at home. The Vipers’ offense put together enough key hits, while their pitching and defense kept Youngker from completing any major comebacks.
The game started with both teams exchanging runs early. Youngker drew first blood with a run in the top of the first inning, but Verrado quickly responded with two of their own in the bottom half, courtesy of Eli Bebleh’s clutch RBI and a single by Braden Marchese that added another. Bebleh’s bat has been a constant presence this season, and tonight was no different. His .500 average speaks volumes, as he went 2-for-4 with a home run, helping his team stay on top.
Youngker threatened to rally in the top of the third, scoring another run to make it 4-3, but Verrado’s defense stood tall. Colton Zacher, who delivered a stellar pitching performance on the mound with a 1.17 ERA, shut down Youngker’s offense, allowing only three hits through six innings. Zacher struck out 11 batters and kept the visitors at bay with his pinpoint control, putting his team in a strong position to capitalize.
On offense, Verrado was able to respond with a solid second inning that saw them add two more runs, thanks to the hitting of Braxton Bjur and Ronal Urquiola. Even though Zach Mermis and Bode Acton were quiet at the plate, other hitters like Marchese, who finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, stepped up and delivered when it counted. Urquiola also had a solid outing, contributing a run and an RBI.
Youngker wasn’t going to go down without a fight, though. They made some noise in the seventh with a final run, but Nico Doyen came in for relief, closing the door with a solid inning, including a strikeout to preserve the win for Verrado.
Key plays in the field helped back up the pitching staff. Ethan Williams made a stellar play at shortstop, recording a key out during a potential Youngker rally in the sixth. Williams, who’s had a steady glove all season, helped ensure that the Vipers maintained their advantage late in the game. Even though Verrado committed a few errors, they were able to limit the damage, allowing them to hold onto the lead.
With the win, Verrado improves to 3-2 for the season, showing resilience on both offense and defense. As the team continues to build chemistry, performances like tonight’s will serve as a solid foundation for the rest of the season. Youngker gave them a run for their money, but in the end, Verrado’s grit and talent were enough to seal the deal.
