Bulldogs sharp in victory over Dragons

By Kevin Jenkins | April 2, 2015 |

STE. GENEVIEVE – The West County lineup continued to apply pressure at the plate, and right-hander Tyler Neubrand challenged Ste. Genevieve batters with success on Wednesday.

Parker Forshee collected two doubles, two singles and four RBI while reaching base five straight times from the lead-off spot, and the Bulldogs soundly prevailed 13-2 on the road.

Sophomore second baseman Jacob Meinershagen was 3-for-4, and senior Clayton Brinkley also took five plate appearances without being retired as West County (4-2) compiled 12 hits overall.

Neubrand twirled a 3-hitter and struck out three in an efficient outing. Blake Meyer’s RBI double in the sixth inning was the lone Ste. Genevieve (3-4) hit to reach the outfield.

The West County defense also shined as Forshee made an early sliding catch in shallow center field. Middle infielders Blake Barlow and Meinershagen added reaching grabs to prevent base runners.

Jonathan Hovick opened the scoring with a 2-RBI single that directly followed hits by Barlow and Meinershagen in the second inning. Forshee doubled with two outs to make it 3-0.

Dragons starter Cody Stacy was pulled in the third after walking a batter and hitting another. The Bulldogs maximized two sacrifice bunts with ensuing RBI hits, and eventually led 7-1.

Ste. Genevieve picked up its first run in the second when a throwing error allowed Nevada McAlpin to sprint home from third base.

Neubrand battled through a bases-loaded jam to maintain a 2-run cushion after Wyatt Lalumondier was intentionally walked. His strikeout of Stacy began a string of 11 straight retired.

Clayton LaBruyere was safe at home on a double steal after his fly ball was misplayed in right field to begin the West County fourth.

The Bulldogs added two more runs in the fifth after catcher Josh Barnett advanced both Meinershagen and Hovick into scoring position with his second sacrifice.

Ste. Genevieve head coach Mike McDaniel employed a series of pinch-hitters in the home half after a second trip through the order yielded minimal results.

Neubrand cruised through a perfect seventh to nail down the win.

Forshee capped his 4-for-5 game with a long RBI double in the top of the seventh. Brinkley punctuated the scoring with a 2-run single after drawing four previous walks.

West County hopes to continue an upward trend on Thursday in a pivotal test against defending MAAA Small-School and Class 2 state champion Valle Catholic.

Drew Schmelzle stole two bases and scored a run for the Dragons. Catcher Jake Brewster caught two runners stealing defensively.

West County junior Parker Forshee (24) reached base five straight times from the leadoff spot, and notched four RBI in Thursday’s 13-2 victory over Ste. Genevieve.