Brewster’s bat triggers Grizzlies’ win at Arbor View

Robby Brewster left little doubt about his value to Spring Valley’s baseball team during the Grizzlies’ first two games.

On Thursday, the senior right-hander struck out 10 batters to help Spring Valley gain a season-opening tie with Silverado.

On Friday, Brewster went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs and three runs to power the Grizzlies to a 12-6 road victory over Arbor View as part of the Bengal-Aggie Kickoff Tournament. The game was called after six innings because of darkness.

“(Brewster) had some good at-bats and good balance in his swing,” Spring Valley coach Paul Bassett said. “They’re a good pitching staff over there, and he hit some good pitches.”

Brewster’s two-run homer to left field highlighted a four-run third inning the Grizzlies used to build a 5-1 lead, and they led the rest of the way.

“I was looking for a fastball in that situation (a 2-2 pitch),” Brewster said. “But he left a curveball inside and up, and I’ve got to turn on that pitch.”

Brewster, a first baseman, also had an infield single in the second inning and a double in the fifth.

Junior left-hander Dylan Drachler went 4 1/3 innings to get the win, allowing four earned runs on four hits and four walks with five strikeouts.

“Dylan was good. He threw three pitches for strikes and then he got his pitch count up, so we had to get him out of the game this early in the season,” Bassett said. “But he’s one of our best guys, and I’ll take him on the hill any day.”

Arbor View (2-1) sent 10 batters to the plate and scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth, but reliever Cody Foremaster got Cameron Mormon to ground out with the bases loaded to end the threat.

The Grizzlies’ offense performed better a day after being held to four hits in a 2-2 tie with Silverado.

Seven players combined for 12 hits, with Drew LaComb (two RBIs) and Foremaster getting two apiece. No. 9 hitter Logan Mace was 2-for-3 with a triple and three RBIs.

“We had good balance and used the middle of the field. That’s kind of our philosophy,” Bassett said.

Brandon LaPointe was 2-for-3 with a triple for the Aggies.

“This was a big win because I consider (Arbor View) one of the top five teams in town,” Bassett said. “It feels good to beat them at their place.”