SLUH Wins District Baseball; Ladue's 19 Game Win Season is Over

Danny Sheinbein, Ladue’s shortstop didn’t want to see the baseball season end. In fact, he doesn’t want his player career to be over. He’s been shagging balls ever since his little league days.

But the Rams ran into 6-foo-9 Brian Howard, rightie from St. Louis U. High. Howard went the distance, seven innings and edged Ladue for the Class 4, District 5 title at Ritenour Tuesday night, 3-2.

“I’m going to Washington University. I think I’ll talk to their coach about coming out for the team. I don’t want to stop playing,” said Sheinbein.

Howard, who had good control on his repertoire of pitches was in command most the way. He allowed the Rams just 4 hits in 7 frames. Howard will be pitching for Texas Christian University next year.

“I’ve got a good defense behind me. I just let them make the plays,” said the senior hurler. Like the play that shorstop Matthew Binz made to finish the game. Lucas Tamaren, playing his final game for Ladue hit  scorcher to the shortstop who snagged the ball, doubling up base running Jason Blanke for the final out, and coach Steve Nicollerat’s 24th district title in 33 years on the bench.

“They could have gotten their 20th win. We’ve had some great battles with them (Ladue) this year,” said Howard.

Like the opener for Ladue March 24 when the home team won 7-6. On April 28, playing in the Ritenour tournament, the Junior Bills evened the series with a 14-3 win.

The rubber game sends SLUH to the sectional game against either Hazelwood Central or Hazelwood East Tuesday. Something they should win handily.

SLUH’s big inning was the third. They got three runs on three successful bunts. Nicollerat was going small ball in a big way. Sheinbein bobbled a routine grounder, allowing Binz to score the second run. The third run came when Mitch Klug slugged a single driving home Bryan Mass.

Ladue’s coach sensed pitcher C.J. Goeckner’s day was done and brought in reliable Rob Ewald from the pen. Ewald pitched masterfully the rest of the game.

Ladue put together solo runs in the 4th and 5th innings, cutting the deficit to 3-2 where the game and season ended. In the 4th, Greg Gannon chased home courtesy runner Nick Trelz for the Rams first score of the game. In the top of the fifth, catcher Turner Miller smacked an RBI single to center, scoring Jason Blanke for the final run of the 2012 season.

Rob Garrett tipped his cap to his seniors who mugged for a final group photo together. “We had a great group of seniors and I’m going to miss them. But we’ll start with a new group. We have some good young players coming up. Rob (Ewald) pitched great. He loves to come out of the bullpen and pick us up.”

Ladue finishes 19-8. SLUH continues on with  18-9 record.