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June 8 2009 Check Out previous Blogs
The excitement ran through all four days at Meador Park in Springfield, MO.
Yogi was never so right...it isn't over, til it's over! In Class 1, the defending champions the Santa Fe Chiefs (17-2) were seemingly coasting along to another title as they led 5-2 after 6 innings with one of their aces, Taylor Wesley, on the bump. Wesley was shooting for back-back wins in the State Championship game as he won it in 08. When Billy Ely, who drove home the winning run in the bottom of the 7th in the semis, led off with a single from his #7 spot in the order, no one stirred much. With 2 outs, one run had scored and it looked like curtains for the Dora Falcons. The next five batters reached base via 2 hits, 2 HBP and an error! Billy Ely, who batted around, had a two-run single as the final hit of the inning and it provided some cushion in the Falcons stunning 8-5 comeback victory. It was the 1st STATE baseball title for Dora.
Toughest weekend belonged to the Cooter Wildcats of Class 1. The Wildcats lost the semis to Dora 3-2 when Dora rallied for the winning run in the 7th. In the 3rd place tilt, Laplata sandwiched together two of their three hits in the 6th inning to score 2 runs. That's all they needed in the 2-1 win. Cooter's #1-2 pitchers of Aaron McCaig and Logan Edwards were outstanding in both losses. This crisply played game was wrapped up in 1:27 minutes!
Both Class 4 semis followed the same script. The winning team used a huge inning to break open the game. Lee Summit North scored 11 runs in the 2nd inning with Chad Shannon's back-back, bases loaded triples (yes...6 ribbies in one inning) to lead the way to a 12-1 win over DeSoto. The Broncos banged out six extra base hits. Ft Zumwalt South's 4 runs in the first inning gave pitcher, AJ Walkenhorst all he needed in the 9-1 victory over Rock Bridge. Leadoff man par-excel lance, Mike Macke, got on base three times, stole 2 bases and really set the table for the Bulldogs. Tyler Tucker of FZS was on base four times from the middle of the lineup.
The Class 4 Title game was tied at 3-3 after 3 innings. FZS had the Loonnngggg 3 run HR by Fred Ford in the top half of the first inning to jump on top but The Broncoes matched it with a 2 run shot by Kevin Morgan in the bottom of 2nd. The Bulldogs scratched out a run in the 4th to take a 4-3 lead when Dan Seddon's double drove home Fred Ford. A three run 5th by FZS which was highlighted by Dan Brennan's two run single gave the Bulldogs some breathing space as they glided to a 8-4 championship win over the powerful Lee Summit North team. Hank Williams went the distance for the Bulldogs.
One ace may not be the winning hand at State anymore. It looks like a 2nd ace is needed to run the table. Take a look, Ft Zumwalt South used just 2 pitchers through 2 games. AJ Walkenhorst and Hank Williams, JR BOTH went the distance in impressive style. Walkenhorst allowed just 4 hits, 1 run and hung up 7 K's in the semis while Williams performance of 7 hits, 3 runs and 8 strikeouts was also sharp. By the way, FZS still had more premier pitchers available! Other teams with a 1-2 pitching punch were Cooter (McCaig & Edwards) who were mentioned above and Notre Dame (CApe). ND also had consecutive complete game performances by two pitchers who both finished their season at 11-0 ! Colton Young and Dylan Drury were the complete game winners for the Bulldogs from Cape. Young struck out 8 in the 5-1 semifinal victory over Harrisonville. Drury hung up 12 K's in the championship win as ND iced up their championship in a 16-4 game. In Class 2 action, Valle Catholic used Nathan Geile and Mike Greminger exclusively on the mound in their impressive wins this weekend.
Things are always what they seem. OK...you just read the 16-4 winning scored by Notre Dame (Cape) over Carl Junction in the class 2 title game. It was 6-4 in the 6th inning of that game! Actually CJ had the tying runs on base in bottom of the 6th in what had been a tremendous game. Notre Dame erupted for a dozen runs in the 7th with 10 hits including Wesley Glaus' 2nd HR of the game. Glaus finished the game 4-5, 2 HR, 8 RBI's, 3 runs scored ! The Bulldogs cracked out 20 hits in the win. Carl Junction Bulldogs had reached the title game with an exciting semifinal win over Fulton 12-5. Hitting stars for these Bulldogs (seemed like every game had a Bulldog in it !) were Seth Spencer (3 for 4, 3 RBI's), Matt Thompson (3 for 4, 3 runs scored) and Travis Green (2-4, 2B, 3B, 6 ribbies).
Holding true to script doesn't happen very often at State Baseball. However, in Class 2 the Valle Catholic Warriors (26-5)came in after competing against several larger schools during the season. The Warriors beat a very good Strafford team, who seemed to run out of pitching late in the game, 6-2. Tied at 2-2 after Strafford scored in the top of the 5th inning, Valle plated 2 runs in the bottom half as Jason Blum drove home both runs with a ringing double. The Warriors added two insurance runs as Nathan Geile's single drove home both runs. The key play, however, was the outstanding defensive play by 1B Christian Moulton. After Strafford had bounced back for a run in the 6th and had two more runners on base, Connor Wilson hit a shot down the first base line--seemingly headed to the corner. Moulton backhanded the ball, stepped on the base to end the rally and for all purposes the threat to the title for Strafford. Valle starts only one senior, Cole Bieser, and is an early favorite to return to Springfield in 2010.
It's been another great year at the Prepcasts Broadcasting Network. We wrap up our 6th year of high school coverage on Prepcasts, Prepcasts-MO West, Prepcasts-Ste. Genevieve, MSHSAA Internet Network with over 600 games for you to enjoy over the summer. All replays, except MSHSAA video games, are FREE on demand 24-7. Thanks to all who worked so hard to bring those games to you and to ALL OF YOU for joining us regularly throughout the year. If you're interested in Prepcasts coming into your "neck of the woods" for coverage, drop me an email. We'll have Metro Collegian baseball, SLABA baseball and AAYBA baseball this summer so don't forget to stop by to www.prepcasts.com.
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