Stafford, Baker shut down Hinckley-Big Rock bats in Serena win

HINCKLEY – Even though they managed only three hits, all by the same batter, Hinckley-Big Rock stranded 11 runners Wednesday in a 3-0 loss to Serena.

Huskers’ starter Ivan Stafford pitched out of bases-loaded jams in the first, second and fourth innings. He struck out 10 and walked seven in 5 2/3 innings before hitting his pitch count limit.

“He got himself out of three bases-loaded jams. That was good to see,” coch Chad Baker said. “He battled and got us through five. I was hoping he’d get one more hitter in that sixth inning, but I was happy with Carson [Baker] coming in to get the save for us.”

Carson Baker allowed one hit and a walk, entering the game with a 2-0 lead in the sixth to pick up the save.

Riley Hogan was the only player for the Royals (0-3 overall, 0-1 Little 10) with a hit. He was 3 for 4.

“I don’t want to take anything away from what they were doing, we just didn’t put the ball in play in enough situations when we had runners in scoring position,” Hinckley-Big Rock coach Matt Olsen said. “We left 11 runners on, and that needs to be better.”

Serena (3-4, 3-0) also left the bases loaded in the first inning and finally broke through in the third. Cole Shannon and Stafford led off with back-to-back singles, then Leo Brenna singled them both home.

But Richard Hintzsche settled down, getting the next three batters and stranding Brenna in scoring position.

Hintzsche went the distance, allowing four hits, walking three and striking out five. The Huskers added an unearned run in the seventh on three H-BR errors.

“I thought he pitched well,” Olsen said. “It was a little rough early, but after the fourth inning he didn’t miss a spot. I give Ben Jourdan a lot of credit, he called a great game. We had a good plan, good execution and they should be proud of what they accomplished.”

Hintzsche retired 11 straight batters after Brenna’s single.

“Our sticks didn’t really do the job, either,” Chad Baker said. “But it is what it is. Sometimes you have games like that.”

Hintzsche reached on a two-base error in the first, then back-to-back walks loaded the bases. But Stafford struck out the next two batter to escape the jam.

In the second, two walks and a single loaded the bases with two outs, but against Safford notched a strikeout to escape the jam. In the fourth, the Royals again loaded the bases with two outs but a fielder’s choice ended the rally.

Chad Baker said the Huskers have to work on their control after walking 10 batters.

“We have to get those walk numbers down,” Baker said. “If we’re facing a team that’s going to break through – they had a couple chances to break through and we were fortunate enough to prevent them from it.”

Serena finished with four hits, two by Stafford.