PLANO, TX -- It has become almost a guaranteed outstanding outing every time Brandon Bertsch takes the mound for Bishop Lynch. Last night, the senior earned his ninth victory of the season as he struck out seven Cardinals in the Friars' 7-2 victory over John Paul II. 

The Friars' offense had one of their best district games of the season at the plate - totaling 11 hits - the most in a district game this season. The only other time they have reached double-digit hits during a district game was last week against Nolan. Eight Friars got a hit and Luke Sokolovic, Sam Elrich and Josh Thornhill all had two hits. Those three batters also combined for four RBIs as well. Sokolovic (.438), Elrich (.435) and Thornhill (.381) lead the team in batting average during district play.

After giving up an inside-the-park home run in the bottom of the first to go down 2-0, the Friars quickly got back into the game with an RBI single by Elrich in the second. They would tie it up in the third with a sacrifice fly by RBI team leader Grayson Wise. Wise now has 28 RBIs this season.

Later in the third, the Friars were able to add two more runs when Josh Thornhill hit a fly ball that the Cardinals couldn't handle. That error scored both Ryder Bunfill and Carter Cole making it 4-2 BL.

Sokolovic got the first of his two RBI singles in the fourth inning, scoring Aaron Reeves. His second RBI single came in the sixth where he hit a line drive to left field, scoring Thornhill and making it 6-2 BL. Elrich earned his second RBI of the night with a bases-loaded walk in a great seven-pitch at-bat, making it 7-2 BL heading into the bottom of the seventh.

Sebastian Vasquez came in for relief and after surrendering a leadoff single, pitched a flawless inning with two groundouts and a lineout to Wise to end the game.

Bertsch's record this season is now 9-3 with an ERA of 1.88, his nine wins are tied for second all-time in BLHS history for wins in a single season. Not only did Bertsch pitch six innings, only allowing three hits and two runs, but his seven strikeouts also pushed him to 90 total strikeouts this season. This makes it back-to-back seasons with 90+ putouts.

This win for the Friars improves their record to 27-7-1, 5-4 on the season. The Friars and Cardinals are now tied for third in district with the last game of district play being this Friday when John Paull II travels here to play BL.

The 27 wins this season are not only a spectacular feat, but it is also the second-most wins in program history for one season. The 2009 Bishop Lynch baseball team holds the record with 28 wins, finishing that season with a record of 28-7.

NEXT UP:
Bishop Lynch hosts John Paul II on Friday night on dollar hot dog night. The first pitch will be around 7:00 PM. This is the final district game of the season for the Friars and will decide who finishes third in district. 

DISTRICT STANDINGS:
Prestonwood: 25-3-1, 8-2
Trinity Christian Academy: 17-12-1, 6-3
Bishop Lynch: 27-7-1, 5-4
John Paul II: 19-12, 5-4
Nolan Catholic: 10-22, 2-7
Parish Episcopal: 17-13, 2-7

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