The Majors game between Forest Park and the Broadview Yankees on May 13, 2015 was most unusual. The visiting team didn’t have to field a single ball. Under frigid conditions at Pioneer Park, the Forest Park bats were red hot, as they slaughtered Broadview 11-0. Starter Sam Marino was dominant, striking out nine in three innings, while walking two.
Marino did give up one hit, though, a massive drive by Nathan Love, which bounced over the center field fence for a ground rule double. Love was stranded at third, as Marino struck out the last three batters to win the abbreviated game. Hitting stars included Micah O’Neal, Evan Branniff and Jacob Morales, who each scored two runs.
There were several sparkling defensive plays by Broadview, with shortstop Dionte Stallings throwing out Sebastian Lira, second baseman Kwanis Blair retiring Reagan Hostey and third baseman Dontrel McCord nipping Kyle Barron at first. After Forest Park jumped out to a 10-0 lead, Broadview reliever Taevion Russell cooled off their bats, allowing only one run in the third.
Manager Pat Branniff noted that the last time his team faced Broadview Gavin O’Connor pitched a no-hitter. He was proud of his well-practiced team, who were disciplined at the plate and aggressive on the base paths. Parents huddling under blankets also appreciated their play. As Ta’Jonn “T.J.” Johnson said, “It was cold but we played hard.”
