Bedford Kicks Saline Out of Playoffs

The Saline Hornets’ baseball team saw its season end against a dominant southpaw Saturday afternoon. After blowing out the Belleville Tigers 18-3 in the morning game, Saline lost to the Bedford Kicking Mules 9-0 in the MHSAA District Finals. The Hornets offense managed only one hit off Bedford’s Trent Szkutnik, a left-handed pitcher who is headed to the University of Michigan to play for the Wolverines.

“[Szkutnik] throws hard enough where you have to start early, and then he throws a curve, even if it’s down and out of the zone, you’re geared up for that fast ball and miss on the curve. You give him a lot of credit; he’s very good,” said head coach Scott Theisen.

Saline’s offense, so explosive in the early game, was dormant in the afternoon heat. Doug Mitchell managed the only hit for the Hornets, climbing the ladder and hitting a ball around his eye-level into right field for a single. He was later thrown out at home on an attempted double-steal that ended the fourth inning. Walks were Szkutnik’s biggest concern; he allowed six, three of which were to Collin Drumm.

“It’s always tough to say good-bye to the seniors. They did everything they could to try and do something today, but they were just out-matched by that guy on the mound,” said Theisen. 

Will Goeman struggled a little against Bedford’s aggressive offense. He gave up two runs in the first inning and one in the third before giving up a three-run home run in the fourth that really sealed the game for Bedford. Goeman did not make it out of the inning, going three and two-thirds, allowing six runs on seven hits.  He struck out two and walked two. Goeman was replaced by Brandon Krebs, who finished the final two and a third innings. Krebs allowed the final three Kicking Mule runs on three hits, a walk and a hit batter while striking out one.

“I thought [Will] was pretty good today. He pitched well and made some real good pitches. He made a couple mistakes that hurt, but one hit isn’t going to get it done,” said Theisen.