Andrew Smith is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Scottsdale Preparatory Academy for AZPreps365.com

PHOENIX — Tempe Prep took down Scottsdale Prep for the first time since the 2017-18 season on the road in Glendale on Thursday.

The Knights (0-1) moved to an even 1-1 on the year as they spoiled the Spartans opening day game at the Victory Lane Sports Complex.

Tempe Prep jumped on Scottsdale Prep early scoring two in the first and three in the second. They knocked out the Spartans starting pitcher Kannon Czochara after just the second inning and allowing five runs.

Matthew Holwerda, a sophomore, finished the game for Scottsdale Prep with five strikeouts, three hits and three runs given up in five innings of work.

Sophomore Will Drescher took the mound for the Knights in their second game in two days. Will Drescher throwing a bullpen to Derek Vujtech. (Drew Smith photo/AZPreps365)

Drescher made it look easy today by striking out 12 batters in 6.2 innings of work and never seeing more than 4 batters in an inning. He also only allowed two hits and two walks.

Drescher said he knew this could be a special start,.“In the second inning, when I got through the heart of the lineup,” he said.

Tempe Prep head coach, Joe Labadie, said, Drescher pitched an incredible game.

“I am so proud of him,” Labadie said.

Drescher was accompanied by centerfielder Carlos Gastelum on the offensive side, who went 2 for 4 at the plate with three RBIs and one extra basehit.

Gastelum scored one run in the second inning on a hard ground ball up the middle and then hit a two RBIs double out to left field. It rolled by the left fielder to the wall, scoring shortstop Josh Norton Jr. from first. 

Norton Jr. is a freshman who went 2 for 3 at the plate with one RBI and two extra basehits. Both extra basehits going to right field with his first one scoring a run. He also had two stolen bases.

First baseman Marco Gastelo came in and shut the door with a strike out to end the game.

The Spartans got one of their two hits in the first inning and didn’t get the other until the seventh. 

Scottsdale Prep head coach Dax Strader said he wants to see development throughout the young team this year. Scottsdale Prep has two seniors on the team this year after six graduated last year.

“We got a couple guys who are pretty new, haven’t played since middle school, some ever,” Strader said. “They’re picking it up pretty darn quick after two and a half weeks of practice.”

Strader also said “I couldn’t be prouder. I think we’re gonna be better than where we are at the start here.”

Labadie said there is no coincidence why the team has put up 16 runs in two games. The board and administration got the funding to build the team new batting cages.

“I really want to thank the board for funding, getting cages”, Labadie said. “That has made our production night and day.”