High school baseball: Lisk brothers help fuel Fairfield's rise as Indians double last year's win total
Apr. 19—OXFORD — The connection started long before the first pitch. It showed up in backyard games, long days at the field and years of learning each other's tendencies.
Now, it's paying off in a big way for Fairfield High School's baseball team — with brothers Sam and Nathan Lisk at the center of a surge that has the Indians playing some of their best baseball of the season. Sam Lisk, a junior right-hander, delivered a complete-game performance Saturday, allowing just one run on two hits while walking none in a 4-1 win over La Salle in the Reds Futures High School Showcase at Miami University's McKie Field. And behind the plate, his younger brother Nathan handled every pitch.
Both say the pairing feels natural. "In some ways, it makes it easier," Sam said. "I get frustrated at him a lot, so I just throw the ball harder at him.
" The results have followed. Sam Lisk was in control from the start Saturday, attacking the strike zone and leaning on a defense that has become one of Fairfield's strengths. Junior shortstop Colton Owens and junior right fielder Teagan Lucking highlighted a clean, aggressive effort as the Indians continued a stretch that has seen them win six of their last seven games.
Fairfield jumped out early, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Owens singled to score Nathan Lisk. The Indians added on in the third with an RBI single from Justin Hembree, then created separation in the fourth on a sacrifice fly from Nathan Lisk and a run-scoring wild pitch. That was more than enough support.