Bishop England defeats Hanahan in baseball

HANAHAN-Bishop England jumped to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning tonight and cruised to an 8-0 victory against rival Hanahan thanks to a pair of home runs and some strong pitching. Tradd Lowman pitched a six-hitter as the Bishops upped their record to 3-1.

The Bishops seem to be loaded for a run at the state championship. They went 19-12 last year and have many key personnel back from the team including centerfielder Zack Madden, a swift centerfielder who can cover a lot of ground on defense while hitting to all fields when he’s at the plate. He was 3-for-4 Tuesday with a single and a pair of doubles. He added two runs, two stolen bases and an RBI.

The Bishops have won state titles in every odd calendar year since 2003 and began the ‘13 season in the No. 1 spot in the Class AA state coaches poll. The Bishops jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first inning against Hawk sophomore Collin Strimpfel. Jonathan Browning doubled down the right field line, went to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a wild pitch. The Bishops’ other run came when Madden doubled down the right field line and scored on Harrison Boals’ single.

Patrick Clarey lined a two-run homer over the centerfield fence in the top of the second, and catcher Cameron Garrett deposited a two-run blast to left-center in the top of the third, and Bishops never looked back with a 6-0 lead.

Garrett picked off two runners, including one in the bottom of the seventh to preserve the shutout.

Lowman struck out four and didn’t allow a walk.