American National Pays Back the St. Louis Tigers

Back on June 2, the Easton St. Louis Tigers put what one parent called “a whoppin'” on the American National Eagles in an early season St. Louis Amateur Baseball Association (SLABA) league game at Brentwood Park.

Remembering the Tigers hot hitting from that day, and knowing the Tigers have continued to play well throughout the summer, American National head coach Bill Becher figured he should probably put his best starter on the mound for Tuesday’s rematch.

It took place at the Eagles’ home park at the , where thanks to some hot hitting, the American National lineup showed it was more than capable of handling the Tigers themselves. The Eagles secured a 10-0 win, which included 14 totals hits and an eight-run second inning

“They beat us all over the field before,” Becher said. “So I don’t know (how this matchup would be). Different game. Different team. I don’t know. But I’ll take it. I know that much.”

Indeed he should, as the Eagles took charge right from the start and put the clamps on the Tigers in a hurry.

American National quickly secured two runs in the first inning. These were thanks to rally-starting singles Lutheran North High teammates Brendan Buenger and D.J. Johnson hit, along with run-scoring singles Hazelwood West High standouts Oday Al-Yatim and Shane Olmstead secured.

But the big inning for the Eagles was the second.

In that frame, they sent 13 men to the plate, and picked up seven hits, two walks and had a batter reach base on an error.

Pattonville High’s Justin Dertinger led off the inning with a hit, and later scored on a two-run single teammate Curtis Nothdurft smacked, to make the score 4-0.

But that was just the beginning, as nine additional batters came to the plate for the American National. Trinity Catholic’s Michael Hardin, Hazelwood West's Al-Yatim, Pattonville’s Shane Hartwig and St. Dominic’s Andrew Aubuchon all delivering RBI hits.

Buenger delivered the final blow. He drove in two more runs, before the Tigers were finally able to get the last out of the inning.

“We creamed the ball (tonight),” Becher said. “We hit the ball hard almost every time up. It was good to see us swing it like that.”

The early 10-run cushion was more than enough for American National starter Mike Eagan. He mowed the Tigers down with ease, allowing only two hits and one walk, while striking out six.

Eagan seemed excited to be back pitching in St. Louis, after returning from a weekend recruiting trip in Tampa, FL. By all indications the trip went particularly well for the 6-foot-1 righthanded 2011 Hazelwood Central graduate.

“What I like about Mike is he gets the ball and he doesn’t screw around,” Becher said. “He throws strikes, and he’s an extremely smart pitcher. He’s going to be a good player in college.”

American National will be back in action on Wednesday at the Hazelwood Sports Complex. The team will host another SLABA League game against the St. Louis Stallions, a team of all-star players from the St. Peters and O’Fallon area.

Becher said either Olmstead or Buenger would get the start for the Eagles, with the first pitch slated for 5:45 p.m.