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Streak, playoffs over for Botkins |
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Monday, 19 May 2008 |
By JOSHUA KEERAN
Sports Editor
TIPP CITY – Despite a 13-game winning streak heading into Saturday’s sectional final, the Botkins varsity baseball team proved to be no match for the defending Division IV champions from Fort Loramie.
The Redskins handed the Trojans their first loss in 14 games and sent Botkins packing with a 15-4 run-rule victory in six innings at Tippecanoe High School.
“I’m extremely pleased and proud of my team’s effort,” Botkins varsity coach James Smith said. “When we were sitting at 4-5 on the season, I would have never expected us to win 13 in a row and be in this situation to compete for a sectional title.
“It’s a credit to the kids’ work ethic and them buying into what we were doing.”
For Botkins, senior Ryan Leugers, who entered the game perfect on the season, worked three innings in which he surrendered six hits, two walks, four walks and four earned runs.
In relief for the Trojans, senior Caleb Koch (6-3) allowed three earned runs on four hits in an inning of work. Senior Zane Wildermuth finished the game, allowing seven earned runs on five hits in 1 1/3 innings.
Andy Long was credited with the victory for the Redskins, who roughed up Leugers in the first inning for four runs after Botkins scored twice in the top of the inning.
Trailing 4-2 after two innings, the Trojans got a run back in the third to cut the deficit to 4-3, but the Redskins claimed all the momentum they would need in the bottom of the fourth with a three-run inning.
Botkins could only manage a single run the rest of the way while Fort Loramie went for a five spot in the fifth and ended the game with three runs in the sixth.
For the Trojans, senior Travis Dietz supplied plenty of power — hitting a two-run homer and a solo home run. Also for Botkins, Koch also left the yard on a solo blast while Leugers and Wildermuth each had singles.
The postseason might be over for the Trojans, but they still have a chance to finish the season on a high note. With two Shelby County Athletic League games still left to be played, Botkins has a chance to earn a conference title.
“We have two big games ahead of us this week,” Smith said. |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 20 May 2008 )
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