With Matt Jones hurling a one-hit shutout Tuesday, the Borgia baseball Knights (15-7) made it a day to remember for Head Coach Rob Struckhoff.
Borgia’s 5-0 win gave Struckhoff his 200th career victory.
Jones stood out on the mound, tossing a one-hit shutout while hitting a home run in the victory.
Borgia followed up with a 16-1 win Thursday during over Bishop DuBourg Thursday in Forest Park as part of the seemingly never-ending DuBourg Tournament.
Chaminade
It might be Jones’ first season with the Knights, but his big game Tuesday against Chaminade helped Struckhoff reach a career milestone.
Jones threw a one-hit 5-0 shutout and belted a home run as the Knights won over the Flyers and that was enough to give Struckhoff his 200th career victory.
“What an outstanding game for Matt Jones,” Struckhoff said. “In his first start on the mound this year, he throws a complete game one-hitter with 11 strike outs against one of the best hitting teams in the St. Louis area. Plus he hits a home run.”
As well as Jones pitched, he nearly bettered it. Jones held Chaminade hitless for over six innings.
“The only thing better would have been a no-hitter,” Struckhoff said. “He lost that in the seventh with one out. Their No. 4 hitter hit a slow ground ball down the third base line and beat it out. Tough way to lose a no-no but Matt showed his toughness and got the next two hitters to preserve the shutout.”
Jones walked two in the game.
Borgia scored twice in the bottom of the first and added three more runs in the fifth inning.
“Offensively we had some good at-bats and had some big two-out hits,” Struckhoff said. “Noah had a two-out RBI double in the first. In the fifth, Trent doubled home Alex Jasper with two outs and Matt followed that with his home run. Four of our five runs were scored with two outs and that’s a great sign for us.”
Borgia batters had five hits in the game with Borgerding, Jones, Jack Kopmann, Leimkuehler and Grant Eckelkamp getting the hits. Jones homered while Leimkuehler and Eckelkamp doubled.
Struckhoff said the Knights made plays defensively to preserve the shutout.
“Defensively we made some outstanding plays,” Struckhoff said. Grant had a diving play up the middle for a force out at second. Brendan Feldmann made a sliding catch down the right field line into the fence for another out. Everybody contributed, though. We have really turned into a steady and solid defensive unit.”
DuBourg
Scoring six times in the first and adding eight runs in the second, the Knights set the tone early in Thursday’s game in St. Louis.
Borgia actually led 15-0 before DuBourg scored its run in the bottom of the third. Borgia scored its final run in the top of the fourth.
The Knights rapped out 15 hits in the contest.
“There were a lot of highlights for us in this game on the offensive side,” Struckhoff said. “We hit the ball very well, but also got plenty of breaks from them — outfielders losing the ball in the sun, infield hits, and some errors by their defense. We took advantage of everything which was good to see.”
Offensively, Jasper led the way with three hits, one run and three RBIs.
“He’s been putting the ball in play the last few games and finding ways to get on base for us,” said Struckhoff.
Feldmann, Jones, Kopmann and Leimkuehler each had two hits.
Feldmann scored three runs, drove in one and stole a base. Jones drove in three, Kopmann scored twice and drove in two. Leimkuehler doubled, tripled, had four runs, two RBIs, a walk and two stolen bases.
Borgerding, Eckelkamp, Tony Helfrich and Evan Zeitzmann each had one hit.
Borgerding scored, drove in a run and stole a base. Eckelkamp scored twice, drove in two and stole a base. Helfrich had one run and one RBI.
Todd Kleekamp scored a run an stole a base. Austin Rettke scored a run and walked twice.
“I think we’re coming together at the right time,” Struckhoff said.
Brendan Kleekamp pitched for the Knights, allowing one run on four hits and two walks. He struck out nine.
“Our defense played another solid game,” Struckhoff said. “Even when we made some changes, the new guys made plays. Spencer Juergens made a couple plays at third base and Mitchell Hammack made some nice picks at first. Pitching and defense has been the story of our week so far with only one run allowed and two errors in three games.”
After playing at Warrenton Friday at 4:30 p.m., the Knights close out the regular season on the road.
Borgia plays at Owensville Monday at 4:30 p.m. and at Sullivan Wednesday.
