Grassfield Defeats Bethel

Brent Smith threw a 2-hit shutout while striking out 10 to give the Grassfield Grizzlies a 9-0 win over the Bethel Bruins. The win sends Grassfield to the Conference  semi-finals where they will face the #2 seed Woodside Wolverines.

Smith, who committed to Old Dominion University, was in control while improving his record to 6-2 on the year. He struck out the side in the fourth inning and escaped a bases loaded 6th inning with a called third strike.

"It feels great to come out here and get the win," Smith said. "It's a brand new conference so it's a little different. The old format was nice because we got to play against our friends we know but it's still great competition."

"He was in command of three pitches he keeps hitters off balance fast curve and change," Grassfield head coach Bret Lieberman said. "He was throwing his breaking ball where he wanted to throw it. He's been a horse for us all year. Hopefully, we can keep it going."

It took a few innings before the Grassfield bats came alive. The Grizzlies did not get their first hit until the fourth inning when four hits produced four runs. Sophomore Austin Obenour doubled in the first two runs and he drove in a third with a single in the fifth. He would finish 2 for 4 with three RBI. Andrew Bullock drove in two runs with a triple the sixth inning and scored on a sacrifice fly by Max Burcham that made the score 9-0. Bullock drove in two runs and scored three runs.

"It was a new park and a team we have seen twice,"  Lieberman said. "We were a little bit out front the first time thru the lineup. We were able to sit back on some pitches and we were able to adjust."

The Grizzlies split the regular season series against Woodside losing the first game 10-4 and winning the second game 9-1 at Harbor Park.

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