Normal Community 5-28-2011 Varsity

5-28-2011 vs. Normal Community Ironmen

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Normal Ironmen	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	4
NCWHS Wildcats	0	0	0	1	0	0	X	1	7	0

Wildcats Win Regional Championship

It’s good thing Matthew James showed up for the Normal West regional championship game for the Wildcats.  He slugged a 4^th inning home run for the only run of the game and pitched a two hit shutout to lead the Wildcats to their first regional championship since 2007.  The 1-0 victory over rival Normal Community raises the Wildcats record to 30-7 and sets up a sectional semifinal showdown with the Moline Maroons on Thursday.

James had the Ironmen’s number all morning, retiring the first ten batters he faced before Trent Winland blooped a single over first base in the 4^th inning.  James struck out the next two hitters to end that inning.  After a perfect 5^th, opposing pitcher Max Osnowitz lined a single to center to lead off the 6^th.   A failed bunt attempt resulted in the first out, followed by a popup to short and a ground ball to third to get out of that inning.  In the 7^th, a ground ball to short was followed by two strikeouts to end the tense game.  James pitched seven innings, giving up two hits and no walks with nine strikeouts.

The Wildcats had lots of opportunities to get some comfort, but the Ironmen continually made good defensive plays to thwart them.  In the 1^st inning, Kyle Vaugn led off with a single and Alex Jefferson followed with a bunt that was misplayed by the pitcher.  Wes Sery walked to load the bases, but after a fly ball Adam Seifert’s line drive to short turned into a double play.  In the 3^rd, the Wildcats had runners at second and third with two outs when Brent Turner made a big play in the hole to throw the batter out at first and end the threat. 

The Wildcats took the lead 1-0 in the 4^th when James hit a shot right down the right field line.  With the wind blowing in pretty strong from left, it cut across the wind to get out of the park.  The Wildcats left runners at third base and second and third base in the 5^th and 6^th innings respectively as well.  In the end, only the one run was needed.  Kyle Vaughn and Matthew James led the Wildcats with two hits each.

The Wildcats face Moline in the sectional semifinal Thursday at 6:00 at Illinois Wesleyan.  The Wildcats split two games with the Maroons early in the season.