Bell Creek gets “Greatest game” from perfect Fritsch
For our complete photo gallery from this game click here.
By Jarrett Guthrie
Editor
RIVERVIEW – Thursday’s afternoon game ended with Bell Creek junior Tyler Fritsch seated on a bucket as the Panthers ended things in six innings via mercy-rule against Cambridge Christian, and though it wasn’t exactly the way he wanted it to go, the ending and the pitcher were, well you know, perfect.
Fritsch retired 18-straight, striking out five as Bell Creek wrapped things early with a 10-0 win and a perfect game for the right-hander.
“I thought about it the whole game, but I just had to keep my mouth shut because, well you know, I’m a little superstitious,” Fritsch said. “This is probably the best feeling I’ve ever had playing baseball. This might have been the greatest game I’ve ever played.”
For our complete photo gallery from this game click here.
Adding to his impressive pitching line, Fritsch also went 3-for-4 at the plate, reaching in his fourth AB on an error, but picking up an RBI. His first at-bat was a leadoff double, but the junior did get caught trying to stretch it to three as Lancer centerfielder Zack McQuiston fired the ball in for the out.
The out was cause for very limited celebration for Cambridge Christian (9-9) as Austin Heaton followed with a double to left, scored on an RBI single by Ryan Long and the Panthers salted away the win early as Frank Burke doubled in Heaton in the opening frame.
Senior Caden Ross posted a 4-for-4 day at the plate, legging out a pair of infield singles, lining a single into right and ending the game with an RBI hit to give his team the mercy-rule win and capping a seven-run sixth inning.
“The first two at-bats I was seeing the ball really well, and I knew I was going to break out,” Ross said. “I just knew I had to hustle hard for my teammates and got the job done.”
But even with his stellar game at the plate, Ross knew who deserved the praise for the win, immediately continuing: “But I want to shout-out Tyler Fritsch for throwing a great game. He gave us all the energy the whole way. It is crazy to think he threw a perfect game, and we backed him up.”
Fritsch fielded his position well in the game as well, catching a pop fly and fielding two ground balls and throwing to Burke at first base – including a scoop and throw for his final out in the top of the sixth. But he shied away from taking too much credit, instead saying it was the best team game the Panthers have turned in this year.
“To do this with all my brothers out here,” Fritsch said after taking a surprise water bucket bath from his teammates, “I just love all these boys. They had my back the whole way. This wasn’t just me, this is the best game we have played as a team – by far – all season.
“This is the best Panthers baseball I have seen in all my time playing here.”
Cambridge Christian entered the game on a seven-game tear, but couldn’t put anything together against Fritsch at the plate. Shortstop Frankie Taylor had a strong game defensively for the Lancers, who will have the weekend to shake off the lopsided loss before traveling to face St. Petersburg Canterbury on Monday at 6 p.m.
Bell Creek (14-5) has a 3A-District 5 showdown at Tampa Prep on deck this Friday.
For our complete photo gallery from this game click here.
Bell Creek 10
Cambridge Chr 0 – six innings
CC 000|000|x – |0|0|4
BC 200|107|x – |10|13|0
W – Fritsch (6-2); L – Rydell (0-3)
2B – Fritsch, Heaton, Burke (BC). Records – CC (9-9); BC (14-5).
