BGHS FRESHMAN DREW ISENBERG SHINES AT THE PLATE
Drew Isenberg is batting at the bottom of the Bowling Green High School batting order, but don’t get the wrong idea.
The Purples’ freshman infielder/DH can HIT.
Isenberg, the elder of Nathan and Rhea Isenberg’s two sons, wielded a big bat on Monday evening in the Purples’ 11-1 victory over South Warren High School in a game called after five innings.
Drew Isenberg went 3-for-3, with three RBI, as Bowling Green remained unbeaten in five KHSAA 14th District games. And whether it was fortutious or not, hitting in the No. 9 hole guaranteed a couple extra at bats for BGHS shortstop Patrick Forbes, the University of Louisville signee putting up some monster numbers in his senior season on Rockingham Avenue.
And yeah, sure, Drew Isenberg’s heard some catcalls from opposing dugouts. The Coach’s kid, noise and nonsense, that sort of thing.
Suffice it to say he’s taking all the smack in stride.
“It’s awesome, having my Dad as my coach,” Drew Isenberg said afterward. “He’s my toughest critic …”
Something seems to be working.
Isenberg is still growing into his adolescent body, but he’s batting an eye-opening .514 with 19 hits in 37 at bats, including seven extra-base hits, with 13 RBI. And get a load of this …
He hasn’t struck out. Not once.
Isenberg likes to take a two-strike approach on just about any pitch, which is no doubt music to Dad’s ears.
“Put the ball in play,” Drew Isenberg said with a smile.
Nathan Isenberg said Patrick Forbes has served as a mentor of sorts, which has helped the Purples improve to 19-7 overall and 5-0 in KHSAA 14th District play. South Warren, meanwhile, dropped to 13-12 overall and 1-4 respectively.
“Drew’s further along than I was, when I was a freshman,” Forbes said. “No doubt about it.”
Meanwhile, BGHS senior right-hander Dawson Hall turned in another solid effort, scattering seven hits over five innings to earn his fifth victory in seven decisions.
Bowling Green struck for three runs in the bottom of the second inning, two of them on Isenberg’s single to right field with one out. BGHS senior outfielder Turner Nottmeier went 2-for-4, with three RBI, while teammate Dillon Maners was 2-for-3, with two runs scored.
Forbes, meanwhile, went 4-for-4 with three runs scored and a fifth-inning RBI. The Purples’ leader is batting an amazing .608, with 11 home runs, 22 extra-base hits, a team-high 44 RBI and just four strikeouts himself.
Put the ball in play.
It’s a good place to start.
Hall was the beneficary of a South Warren base running mistake in the third inning, when the Spartans collected three hits but failed to score. BGHS right fielder Trent Warren caught Drew Wolfram’s sinking line drive near the right-field line to retire the side and preserve the Purples’ 4-0 lead.
“(I) just tried to pound the zone,” Hall said.
Hall, who is headed across town to pitch at Western Kentucky University next season, lost hit shutout bid in the top of the fifth. Kobe Martin, South’s leadoff man, doubled with one out to the left-field corner and scored on Wolfram’s RBI single.
Nathan Isenberg said senior right-hander Isaiah Head is his projected starter for Tuesday’s Game 2 of the two-game series, as the Purples turned the page on a tough weekend in mini-tournament play in Louisville. Cincinnati’s Elder High School stopped Bowling Green 15-5 in the first game Saturday, and the Purples dropped their second game, 13-3, to a St. Xavier squad sporting an impressive 23-7 record.
“We were able to hang around for a while, but we ran out of pitching,” Isenberg said. “When you play a tough schedule, somebody’s likely to get you.
“Anything can happen.”
That’s one of Isenberg’s favorite catch phrases, but the Purples seem to be listening.
“The district games, they matter the most,” Forbes said as the Purples’ players turned into Isenberg’s grounds crew after the game. “We had to bounce back.”
Game Two is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Senior right-hander Isaiah Head (2-0) is Isenberg’s projected starting pitcher.
