Total team effort for LC

Updated: March 30, 2011 3:04PM

ST. JOHN - Ten runs in the first two innings propelled Lake Central to a 12-2 victory in five innings over visiting Bishop Noll in each team's first contest of the season.

A total team performance helped the Indians, according to coach Jeff Sandor.

"We pitched well, our guys hit the ball well, we ran the bases well, and we defended well," said Sandor. "I'm really pleased with how they played today."

Bishop Noll coach Paul Wirtz said, "You never want to come out on Day 1 and take a beating like that. They hit the ball well, so you have to tip your cap to them. They put it on us today."

After a quick top half of the first inning, Lake Central loaded the bases quickly thanks to three walks from Bishop Noll starter Eric Rodriguez. Cleanup hitter Brandon Cloutier then ripped a liner down the left-field line that rolled to the wall, emptying the bases for an early 3-0 Lake Central lead. Cloutier came around to score on a double steal later in the inning.

In the bottom of the second, the Indians again wasted little time on offense, as senior Matt Siedentopf - the No. 9 hitter in the LC lineup - cranked a home run to lead off the inning.

"I was sitting on an inside pitch with a 1-0 count, and he threw one to me," Siedentopf said after the game. "I struggled a bit at the end of last year so I really wanted to get off to a good start this season, but I don't think anyone expected me to be the first guy to hit a home run."

Siedentopf added a two-run single later in that same inning, putting the Indians ahead 10-0.

"It was the bottom of the lineup that really started us," said Sandor. "We practiced out here all day Monday and I would've bet that no one was going to hit the ball to the wall, but we had four of them go out there."

Brad Wartman complemented the Indians offense with a solid performance on the mound, giving up just one hit in four innings of work, yielding one run while striking out three.

Said Sandor, "(Wartman) was just outstanding out there. He threw strikes and got ahead of hitters, which is really important on a day like this. Hitters don't like to hit when it's this cold."

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