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By Curtis Duncan
Since winning their second Missouri Class 4A baseball championship last June, life has been anything but easy for the Chaminade Flyers. The Flyers have struggled to find consistency at the plate, but Pat Hardin gave them a big and timely lift with his bat on Thursday afternoon.
Hardin, the Flyers' third baseman and leadoff hitter, went four for four at the plate and scored three runs, spurring the Flyers to a 14-4 triumph over Metro Catholic Conference rival Vianney at Vianney High School.
Chaminade improved to 2-5 with the win. Vianney slipped to 2-2 with the setback.
"Pat Hardin played a big key in the game," said Chaminade coach Rick Wibbenmeyer. "He played a big key in the game at third base,…and…he was a big spark for our offense."
Kris Weber got the scoring started for the Flyers, doubling home a run for a 1-0 Flyers' lead. Weber finished the day with two hits.
Vianney answered with a run in the bottom of the first, tying it at 1-1.
In the top of the second inning, the wheels began to fall off the wagon for Vianney.
Chaminade exploded for six runs in that frame off of Vianney hurler Joe Jacob, surging to a 7-1 lead.
It was not the type of day the Golden Griffins were looking for from Jacob, who was pressed into service because scheduled starter Sal Frisella was unable to pitch due to illness.
"I'm sure Joe wasn't too mentally prepared to get up on the mound today," said Vianney coach Ryan Rhea. "He showed it and was a little shaky at first, but the defense behind him really didn't help him."
Aggressive base-running by the Flyers put the normally smooth fielding Golden Griffins on their heels throughout the game, defensively. Vianney committed nine errors in the field.
Hardin stole three bases, and Nick Chambers and Will
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