G'burg handles the Lakers

G'burg handles the Lakers

Written by

Yaneek Smith

News Herald sports correspondent

GIBSONBURG -- After being staked to seven runs in the first two innings, Gibsonburg pitcher Dylan Dorfmeyer was able to relax and gave a fine performance, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits in six innings to go with four strikeouts as the Golden Bears defeated Danbury 13-3 in six innings Thursday in a Toledo Area Athletic Conference tilt.

Gibsonburg (7-1, 1-0) took control from the outset. The Golden Bears scored two runs in the bottom of the first and, after seeing the Lakers respond with a run in the top of the second, scored five runs in the bottom half of the inning and another run in the third to go ahead 8-1.

The Bears got the leadoff man on base in each of the first three innings.

"I was very pleased with the way we hit the ball tonight," Gibsonburg manager Kyle Rase said. "I thought we did a good job of getting our leadoff guy on. I thought we were patient at the plate and got some runners on."

Rase also credited Dorfmeyer with keeping the Danbury (2-5, 1-1) hitters at bay.

"Dylan gave us an excellent outing, he was very efficient with his pitches early on," he said. "It was good to get the TAAC season (started) off with a win. I hope we continue that next week."

Bears leadoff hitter Gage Beaber set the table for his team all day, going 3 for 4 with a triple and two RBIs.

"Getting him on the bases with his speed, he can cause a lot of havoc for the other team," Rase said. "It's big when you've got a guy at the top of the lineup that can start you off like that."

Logan Jones and Bill Vanderlaar also helped to pace Gibsonburg, driving in two runs apiece. Sam Kohler chipped in with a double and an RBI and Andrew Cantrell went 2 for 4 with an RBI.

Brandon Burke struggled at the mound for the Lakers, going five innings and allowing nine runs (eight earned) on eight hits. Burke did, however, perform well at the plate, driving in two of Danbury's three runs. Caleb Helline had the team's other RBI.

"We got down a little bit early," Lakers manager Adam Steinbrick said. "We didn't play with a lot of enthusiasm. We've got to play with a little more emotion, a little more fire."