By Drake Skleba

 BURLINGTON  - Burlington Central and senior right-handed pitcher Zach Ranney fired the first salvo in the huge Big Northern Conference Eastern Division series this week between defending champion Richmond Burton and Burlington Central.

In a “Battle of Rockets,” the Rockets from Burlington Central defeated the Rockets from Richmond-Burton 6-2 at Rocket Hill on Tuesday.

Ranney scattered nine hits and escaped a bases-loaded, two-out mess in the top of the seventh, to lead Burlington Central to the win. Ranney also launched a three-run bomb over the left field fence in the bottom of the sixth to expand a 3-2 BC lead to the final score of 6-2. It was Ranney's second dinger of the season.

“I thought I did a decent job on the mound today,” said Ranney. “I challenged the hitters as my coach instructs us to. I just wanted to hit the ball and get some cushion for me in the seventh. I hit the ball hard and it went out.”

Burlington Central (13-5; 3-0) opened up the scoring in the home half of the second. No. 9 hitter senior Clem Acitelli ripped a two-run single to give the BC Rockets an early 2-0 lead.

“Zach pitched well for us today,” said Acitelli. “I'm very happy about coming up with the big two-run single in the second inning. Hopefully we can beat them again on Thursday and be in great shape in the conference.”

Richmond-Burton (13-6; 2-1) picked up single tallies in the third and fourth innings to tie things up at 2-2. R-B senior LF Evan Giacomo singled home the first R-B run in the third. In the fourth, junior catcher Matt Malecki hit a monster-shot over the left field fence to knot things up at 2-2. It was the fourth homer for Malecki in 2012.

In the bottom of the fifth, Burlington Central reclaimed the lead, 3-2. In a great at bat, junior SS Blake Alexander ripped a 2-2 pitch into right-field with two outs that plated senior Riley Jensen, who had singled.

“I just wanted to make contact and get the run in for us,” said Alexander. “This was a huge win over a very good team. We're having a great start to the 2012 season.”

Ranney went deep in the bottom of the sixth to give himself a cushion he would need.

In the top of the seventh, Ranney quickly dispatched of the first two R-B hitters on strikes. Wright State-bound EJ Trapino reached on an error. Giacomo hammered his fourth straight single and was followed by another single by senior Donnie Stupiensky to load the bases.

Up to the plate stepped the dangerous Malecki, who had homered earlier. Malecki hit a shot to SS Alexander, who fired a strike to junior 1B Kevin Zasada and the Rockets from Burlington Central had secured the victory.

Burlington Central senior catcher Tanner Scott, who’s one of the top unsigned prospects in the state, had three hits at the plate and did a fine job catching Ranney's complete-game effort.

“Zach Ranney really battled tonight,” said Scott. “He pounded the strikes zone and pitched very well. I hit the ball well tonight and had a productive game.”

Richmond-Burton's starting pitcher Ryne Blanton suffered the defeat and falls to 3-3 on the season.

“We battled until the last out tonight,” said R-B head coach Mike Geise. “Evan (Giamoco) has really been hitting the ball for us lately. He is now 15 for his last 27 at bats. We'll have our ace Trapino ready for them on Thursday at our place.”

As mentioned, the two clubs will battle again in Richmond on Thursday at 4:30. A battle of Rocket aces will ensue. EJ Trapino (7-0) vs. Riley Jensen (5-0).

“Zach Ranney pitched and hit awesome for us today,” said Burlington Central head coach Kyle Nelson. “Clem had a great day for us in the No. 9 hole. Clem made a great defensive play gunning down that base-runner at second. Blake Alexander is a junior who is going to do great things for us this year and next. …

Tanner Scott is so consistent both defensively and offensively. It should be another great game in Richmond on Thursday night.”