Luebke slams Tribe (04/24/04)

Friday’s Midwest Athletic Conference baseball contest between the Fort Recovery Indians and the Marion Local Flyers featured a contrast in pitching styles.

Brad Fortkamp, a relative soft-tosser, was good. Cory Luebke was dominant.

Luebke struck out 15 Indian batters and allowed just one hit in a 5-0 Flyer victory.

Luebke struck out at least two batters in every inning but the seventh, and struck out seven of the nine Tribe hitters. The senior, who tosses 84 to 88 mph, plans to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes next year, although the several scouts in attendance proved a draft pick and a trip to the minor leagues is there if he wants it.

“He’s just a good pitcher,” said first-year Fort Recovery coach Aaron Vaughn. “He hit his spots.”

Fortkamp pitched well also, striking out four and walking two while allowing just six hits in seven innings. But, the Flyers scored four of their five runs — three earned — in one big inning.

Troy Luebke led off the third inning with a double, and Joe Kemper reached first on an error. Mitch Thobe loaded the bases with a bunt single, and Adam Kremer delivered a two-run single down the left field line.

The Tribe intentionally walked Cory Luebke to load the bases again only to have Eric Schrader deliver a two-run single to center.

Marion Local added an unearned run in the fourth inning for the final margin.

“Our pitching did a great job,” said Vaughn of Fortkamp. “He’ll throw strikes for you. That was good for him to be in those situations in the MAC. It was good for him to grow.”

Nick Wehrkamp had the only hit for the Indians, a double to center field in the second inning. Leadoff man C.J. Tobe was the only other Tribe hitter who didn’t strike out in the game.

Fort Recovery will host a double-header against Botkins to day at 11 a.m.

Softball tops Flyers

The Fort Recovery softball team stayed perfect in Midwest Athletic Conference play as senior Julie Smith tossed a one-hitter in a 4-0 victory over the Marion Local Flyers Friday.

Smith struck out nine in the complete-game shutout and walked just two batters.

Fellow senior Joscie Kaup had the only two hits for the Indians (9-4, 2-0 MAC), who also reached base on three walks. One of her hits was a double, and she scored once, drove in one run and stole two bases.

Renee Evers had three stolen bases, including a steal of home for her one run scored. Ciera Rammel walked twice, stole two bases and scored twice.

The Tribe hosts a double-header today against Franklin Monroe at 11 a.m.

FR JV tops Jay

Fort Recovery’s junior varsity softball team had a couple big innings, and then held off a late Jay County rally for a 9-6 victory Friday.

With the game tied the Tribe (4-3) scored four times in the third inning and three in the fourth to go up 8-1. It led 9-2 through six innings, and the Patriots scored four times comeback attempt in the seventh inning for the final margin.

Sandra Sudhoff paced the Indians, who had just four hits, but took advantage of 10 walks. She was 2-for-4 with three stolen bases and two runs.

Kristen Schwieterman doubled, scored twice, stole two bases and drove in a run. Jill Wehrkamp had the other Fort Recovery hits and scored a run.

Brittany Brackman had three runs and three stolen bases.

Tiff Gaerke took the win, allowing six runs — one earned — on two hits. She struck out 11 and walked two.[[In-content Ad]]