Squirrels, Tropics trade shutouts in season-opener

Charleston Squirrels coach Michael Minner watches Brady Swims (17) warm up before game one of a doubleheader against the Southeast Tropic at Hillhouse Park on Thursday, June 6, 2024.

Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Summer baseball is back, and it arrived with a collision of hardball heavyweights.

The Charleston Squirrels and the reigning Babe Ruth World Series champion Southeast Tropics locked horns in a season-opening doubleheader at Hillhouse Park on Thursday night, showcasing the region’s elite talent.

The doubleheader delivered a split decision, with the Tropics showcasing their championship pedigree in a 10-0 shutout victory in game one, only for the Squirrels to roar back in game two with a 5-0 shutout.

“Sometimes you score 10 runs and sometimes you score no runs,” said Tropics coach Dustin Schwartz. “But these first couple of weeks are about shaking off the rust. Some of these guys haven’t played in a month and a half. That’s a long time for them to be off.

“We’re working on getting our timing back, “ he continued. “Our pitchers are on early pitch counts and we’re not letting them go deep yet. We’re going to ease them back into it and we’ll have them where they need to be by the end of the year.”

In game one, Kolten Payne set the tone on the mound for the Tropics, dealing four scoreless innings of one-hit ball while striking out six and walking two. Dalton Forck closed the door with two hitless frames, fanning two and walking one, to secure the combined shutout.

Mason Adams paced the Tropics at the plate, collecting three hits in four at-bats, including two doubles and driving in three runs. Forck contributed two hits and an RBI, while Aaron Dunlap, Conner Johnson, and Ross Peters each added a single.

Will Green’s lone single in the first game was the only crack in the Tropics’ armor.

“I loved the pitching,” Schwartz said. “Even in the second game, they threw strikes and did exactly what we needed to keep us in the game. We were in striking distance until the end.”

In the nightcap, it was the Squirrels’ turn to shine with Brady Smith taking center stage. Smith, who will just be a junior at Van Buren next season, stifled the Tropics’ offense, allowing just four hits and no earned runs over 4.2 innings.

He punctuated his performance by striking out the final two batters of the game, sealing a 5-0 shutout victory for the Squirrels. Smith wasn’t just dealing on the bump; he was raking at the dish, going a perfect 3-for-3.

But Smith wasn’t the only Squirrel swinging a hot bat; Brady Swims was equally locked in. The dynamic Brady duo combined to go 6-for-6, with Swims adding a double and three RBIs to power the Squirrels’ offense.

“Both Bradys were phenomenal,” said Charleston coach Michael Minner. “Smith came in with the bases loaded, got us out of a jam and finished the game strong. Swims put some charges on the baseball.”

Bennett Logan also chipped in with an RBI single, while Smith, Swims, Logan, Levi McKinnie, and Peyton Hodges all crossed the plate during the win.

Blake Winburn set the table for Smith’s dominance on the hill, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings and allowing just one hit while striking out five and walking four.

Despite being shut out, the Tropics managed to scatter five hits across the game, led by Jayquan Bogan’s double and singles from Owen Roberts, Adams, Brenden Campbell, and Aaron Dunlap.

Minner, a baseball lifer who understands the nuances of the game, stressed the importance of having a team filled with players who share his passion and knowledge. He pointed to the Squirrels’ dedication and work ethic as key factors in their potential for success.

“It’s always nice when you have a bunch of ‘baseball guys’ and understand what we’re trying to accomplish,” he said. “We’re excited to see what is in store for us this summer. I think we’re going to be a really good baseball team. We have guys who want to be here. They get here early and they stay late. That is an extreme positive for our program.”

The Squirrels’ youthful energy and hustle were on full display throughout the doubleheader, a reflection of the program’s emphasis on cultivating not just baseball talent, but a deep-rooted love for the game.

“We had a great turnout tonight, and I think we made some new fans who’ll want to come back for more,” Minner said. “We’ve got a lot of home games ahead of us, and we’re determined to play a brand of baseball that the community can be proud of.”

The Squirrels will host the Aycorp Media Classic from Friday, June 14 through Sunday, June 16.