By Matt Wallisa

Moeller, the 9th ranked Division I team in the state, continued their recent winning streak with a 3-1 win over Badin at Schuler Park in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The game featured a pitching duel between Badin's Mike Davis and Moeller's Brian Burkhart. Inning after inning, both pitchers battled back and forth as they each eventually recorded complete games. 

Moeller right-handed pitcher Brian Burkhart, who is an unsigned senior, topped his fastball out at 85 mph with his breaking ball sitting at 74 mph. 

Badin junior Mike Davis’ countered with an 83 mph fastball and a breaking ball that sat between 73-74 mph.

Badin threatened in the top of the 2nd inning when Moeller committed a critical error but Burkhart was able to battle his way out of inning without giving up a run. 

Most of the damage in the game came in the bottom of the 2nd. Moeller sophomore Zach Shannon (OSU recruit) was hit by a pitch from Davis. Brad Macciocchi (WSU recruit) followed with a walk, which put runners on first and second for the Crusaders. 

Jordan Simpson followed with a sacrifice bunt, which was misplayed by Davis as he made a wild throw to third base. With the ball going down the line, Shannon crossed the plate for the first Moeller run. Sophomore Riley Mahan came to the plate and hit a double to knock in two more runs and stretch the lead to 3-0 in favor of Moeller.

The game remained scoreless for the next four innings but in the top of the 7th, Badin started a comeback when Burkhart committed an error, which resulted in a Badin runner advancing all the way to third. Badin’s Heath Stricker followed with a single to bring in the runner and cut the deficit to two runs. 

With Stricker on first, Ty Amann (OU recruit) from Moeller made a clutch play in the field robbing Badin of a hit and keeping the go ahead run from coming to the plate.

Burkhart went on to record the final out, clinching the 3-1 win for Moeller.

Moeller will be playing Purcell Marian on Friday and Badin will travel to Chaminade Julienne on Friday as well.