Brownell’s Gem Sends Schuyler County Past Silex, Into State Quarterfinals

Schuyler County is one win away from the final four.

Behind a dominant complete-game pitching performance from Gage Brownell and a steady offensive attack, the Rams powered past Silex 9-3 Monday, May 25, in a Class 2 sectional baseball game.

The victory sends Schuyler County into the Class 2 quarterfinal round Wednesday against Eugene.

Brownell set the tone from the mound, striking out 11 batters while allowing five hits and three runs over seven innings. He walked three and kept Silex from building any sustained momentum, working out of trouble and finishing the game strong.

The Rams broke through in the third inning after Brownell and Mason Windy reached base to start the rally. Cohan Meade delivered an RBI single to bring in Brownell, and Windy later scored on a groundout by Lathan Martin. Meade came home later in the inning as Schuyler County grabbed a 3-0 lead.

The Rams then blew the game open in the fourth.

Colin Oliver started the inning with a single, and Schuyler County kept pressure on the Silex defense with walks, hit batters and timely contact. Brody Weaver lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to score Oliver, Windy added an RBI single, and the Rams tacked on more runs when Martin was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Caden Veatch drew a bases-loaded walk.

By the time the inning ended, Schuyler County had stretched the lead to 7-0.

Silex answered with two runs in the bottom of the fourth and another in the fifth, cutting the margin to 7-3, but Brownell kept control. He struck out the side in key spots and allowed only one run after the fourth inning.

Schuyler County added insurance in the sixth when Meade was hit by a pitch, Martin walked and Oliver drew another walk to load the bases. The Rams pushed two more runs across with aggressive baserunning and pressure on the Silex defense, extending the lead to 9-3.

Brownell closed the door from there. After allowing a walk in the sixth, he got a fielder’s choice to end the inning. In the seventh, he retired Silex in order, finishing the game with a lineout to Windy at second base.

Schuyler County finished with nine hits. Meade, Brownell and Windy each had two hits. Martin drove in two runs, while Meade, Windy, Veatch and Weaver each added RBIs. Oliver scored twice, and the Rams drew six walks.

Silex was led by Jack Johnson, who went 2-for-3 and drove in a run.

The Rams will now face Eugene on Wednesday with a trip to the Class 2 state semifinals on the line.