Niznik and Hoots Dominate in Home Finale

In front of a crowd of 2,329, Noah Niznik (SEMO) dominated on the mound and the Hoots (27-31) offense scored 10 runs en route to a 10-3 win over the Cape Catfish (26-32) at CarShield Field. 

Niznik was filthy on the mound in O’Fallon’s final home game of the 2022 season. The lefty scattered four hits across six innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out a season-high 10 batters. In five starts this season, he was 3-0 with a 2.66 ERA in 23.2 innings. 

Noah Jouras (Triton) led the way offensively for the Hoots, going 3-4 with a single, a double, one RBI, a stolen base and two runs scored. Connor Milton (Illinois) also had a strong night from the lead off spot, going 2-4 with two stolen bases. The other Hoot with multiple hits was Ambrose Russo (Lindenwood), going 2-3. Jacob Hager (Arkansas St) led the way with four RBI’s, the final two coming on an eighth-inning single. 

Overall, the Hoots put up 10 runs on 10 hits, taking advantage of six Catfish errors. Jouras provided the only extra-base-hit of the night for O’Fallon, but the Hoots never let up at the dish. 

Ryker Walton (Mineral Area) and Aidan Haynes (UL-Monroe) pitched the final three innings for the Hoots to seal the win. Haynes struck out the final two batters to close out the game. 

The O’Fallon Hoots have one game in the 2022 season, Saturday at Cape. O’Fallon looks forward to welcoming you all back to CarSheild Field in 2023!