Beau Baker’s strikeout numbers continue to impress early in the 2025 season and the Bellmont junior was as impressive as he’s ever been Monday night on his home diamond, striking out 13 on his way to a two-hit shutout of Blackhawk Christian. The Braves won the contest 5-0 despite a cold, windy night.
The only base hits for the visiting Braves came with one out in the third and with two outs in the fourth. Baker did not issue a walk until the sixth inning and finished his night allowing just three over the minimum.
Matt Bleeke drew the start in center field and had the game’s only extra-base hit – a double to give Bellmont an insurance run in the sixth.
The rest of the Braves’ runs came in a fifth-inning rally, which began with two walks to lead off the inning. Gavin Krull then knocked in both runners with a base hit the other way.
Coach Aaron Baker’s team then worked the double steal to perfection after Will Baker reached with a walk. With Baker on first and Krull on third, Baker hoped to draw a throw from the catcher – and he did, leaving Krull to score without a throw. A balk by the Blackhawk pitcher put Baker at third and he scored on a sacrifice fly by Beau Baker to take what was a 0-0 game to a 4-0 scoreline.
The Braves host Bluffton on Tuesday, with Aiden Zimmerman likely to take the mound for the Braves.
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