Firebirds bash Badin in matchup of state-ranked teams

Victory is 16th straight for Lakota West.

Robert Leifheit/Bud Brown (30) of Badin gets tagged out in the face by Bryan Beaver (24) of West as he is caught stealing during the game Tuesday, May 21st, 2009.

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By Jay Morrison, Staff Writer Updated 7:58 AM Friday, May 22, 2009

WEST CHESTER TWP. — The beat goes on for the Lakota West High School baseball team.

Or, more appropriately, the beatings go on.

The Firebirds won their 16th consecutive game Thursday, May 21, with a 14-4 run-rule decision against visiting Badin, the No. 1-ranked Division III team in the state.

“We swung the bats really well today,” West coach Bill Dreisbach said after watching his team bang out 17 hits against five Rams pitchers.

“Badin is an outstanding team and an outstanding program, and that’s a team that’s destined for greatness this year. I have no doubt in my mind,” Dreisbach continued. “For us to hit the ball the way we did, it felt good.”

The quickly thrown together game counted toward both teams’ records — West improved to 22-5, Badin fell to 25-2 — but it essentially was little more than a tune-up for Saturday’s district finals.

The Division I Firebirds will face Clayton Northmont (23-6) at 3 p.m. at Princeton. The Rams will take on Anna at 5 p.m. at Centerville.

“I was very disappointed in our effort and our mental approach was terrible,” Badin coach Rick Kunkel said. “If they play like that Saturday, we’ll be home. We’ll be done.”

The Rams managed just four hits against West pitchers Brent Wagner (4-0) and Kelly Barnes. Scott Staarmann went 2-for-2 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Corey Van Natta added a two-run single, and Bud Brown singled and scored.

But that was it.

The Firebirds were led by Jacob May (4-for-5, double, four RBIs, two runs scored), Mike Seifert (3-for-3, two RBIs, three runs), Ricky Finley (2-for-4, two RBIs, run), Mark Fowler (3-for-4, double, two RBIs, two runs) and Ian Clark (2-for-4, two RBIs, two runs).

West heads into the game against Northmont having scored in double digits in 10 of their 16 consecutive victories.

“Momentum can’t be bad,” Dreisbach said. “But we also need to keep in mind that from here on out, every team we face has had an outstanding season, so it’s going to be a clash of momentum.”

The Thunderbolts have won 11 in a row.

“We’ve watched them play three games, and we’ve got a good scouting report on them,” Dreisbach added. “They’re a good team. They’re very solid. We’ve got our work cut out for us, no doubt about it.”

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