Late-Inning Surge and Dominant Relief Lift Beecher Past Bloom 12-5
The Beecher varsity baseball team secured a 12-5 non-conference road victory over Bloom on Tuesday afternoon, using a combination of late-inning offensive fireworks and a lights-out relief performance by Chasten Clegg to seal the win.
Bloom took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, but Beecher quickly responded. The visitors erupted for four runs in the top of the third to seize control of the game. The contest tightened again in the fifth inning; Beecher added a pair of runs in the top half of the frame, but Bloom answered with a three-run surge in the bottom half to cut the deficit to a single run at 6-5.
Clinging to the narrow lead, Beecher turned to Clegg out of the bullpen to extinguish the threat. The reliever completely shut down the Bloom lineup, tossing 2.2 perfect innings without allowing a single baserunner. Clegg struck out four batters, retiring Bloom in order and permanently shifting the momentum in Beecher’s favor.
With Clegg holding the line, the Beecher offense went back to work. The visitors plated two runs in the sixth inning to rebuild their cushion and capped the afternoon with a four-run explosion in the top of the seventh to put the game out of reach.
Noah Hanson delivered a massive performance at the plate to pace the Beecher offense. Hanson went 3-for-4 on the day, falling just a home run shy of the cycle with a triple, a double, three RBIs, and two runs scored. Tyler Doran also swung a heavy bat, driving in three runs on a 2-for-4 day that included a double.
Ryan Murphy and Chase Maher each added two hits for Beecher, while Brady Cain ripped an RBI double in his only official at-bat. The visitors also wreaked havoc on the basepaths, aggressively swiping seven stolen bases as a team. Nicholas Fox led the effort with two steals to accompany his two runs scored.
Fox also earned the starting nod on the mound for Beecher. The right-hander pitched 4.1 innings, striking out five batters and allowing four earned runs before handing the ball over to Clegg for the flawless relief appearance.
Game Summary
Score by Innings
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
| Beecher | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 12 | 11 | 1 |
| Bloom | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 0 |
Scoring Summary
-
2nd Inning: Bloom strikes first with two runs in the bottom half of the inning. (Bloom 2, Beecher 0)
-
3rd Inning: Beecher answers back, erupting for four runs in the top half to take the lead. (Beecher 4, Bloom 2)
-
5th Inning: Beecher adds two runs in the top half; Bloom responds with a three-run rally in the bottom half to cut the deficit to one. (Beecher 6, Bloom 5)
-
6th Inning: Beecher extends its lead with a pair of runs. (Beecher 8, Bloom 5)
-
7th Inning: Beecher breaks the game open with a four-run frame to seal the road victory. (Beecher 12, Bloom 5)
Individual Statistics
BATTING:
-
Noah Hanson (Beecher): 3-4, 1 3B, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 2 R
-
Tyler Doran (Beecher): 2-4, 1 2B, 3 RBI
-
Ryan Murphy (Beecher): 2-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 SB
-
Chase Maher (Beecher): 2-3, 1 RBI
-
Brady Cain (Beecher): 1-1, 1 2B, 1 RBI
-
Team Totals (Beecher): 11 Hits, 12 Runs, 11 RBIs, 4 2B, 1 3B, 9 BB, 7 SB
PITCHING:
-
Nicholas Fox (Beecher): 4.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
-
Chasten Clegg (Beecher): 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Latest News Stories
Pritzker disagrees with Durbin on vote to end shutdown
SNAP benefits still in limbo as government shutdown likely nears end
WATCH: China to control chemicals used to produce fentanyl, Patel says
Pritzker open to conversation with Trump on alderman’s immigration proposal
Unions, faith leaders back bipartisan immigration reform bill
Expert: Illinois’ outdated tax law leaves homeowners, taxpayers on the hook
Report: Biden gave away billions of tax dollars for ‘climate justice’ without public consent
Procedural technicalities, appeals court stymie CDL rule change
With a word, RFK Jr. triggered $40B takeover of Tylenol
Illinois quick hits: Midway Blitz nabs nine drunk drivers; Madigan prosecutor to depart
Here’s how to get the $20 credit offered by YouTube TV in Disney dispute
Democrats want call program for immigrant detainees