5-29-2010 vs. Minooka Indians – Regional Championship
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| NCWHS Wildcats |
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| Minooka Indians |
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Wildcats Fall 4-3 in Regional Championship
The Normal West Wildcats played with the lead for most of the game, but couldn’t quite close the door on the Minooka Indians. Minooka came up with two runs in the bottom of the 7th inning to hand the Wildcats a gut-wrenching 4-3 loss, ending their season at 28-9. The Indians move on to the IWU sectional with a record of 30-7.
The Indians got out to a 1-0 lead in the 1st when the leadoff hitter reached on an error, moved up on a wild pitch and scored on a double. Wildcat starter Alex Jefferson then settled in and got through the first two innings. The Wildcats took the lead in the 2nd inning when Jacob Birlingmaier legged out an infield chopper, Michael Collins walked, and both moved up on a wild pitch. Wes Sery doubled to left center to score both runners and scored himself on a seeing-eye ground ball past the second baseman by Erik Sipes. Sipes reached second on the play and moved up to third when Tyler Emmerson bunted for a base hit. The Wildcats, though, were hurt when both Emmerson and Sipes were thrown out on a double steal.
After the Indians got a leadoff double in the 3rd inning, Adam Seifert came on to replace Jefferson on the mound. The Indians sacrificed the runner over and brought him home with a fly ball to left field to make the score 3-2. The score remained that way for the next three innings. The Wildcats got out of a tough first and third situation in the 4th inning when the Indians tried to force a balk. Seifert stepped off and faked a throw to second that drew the runner on third off just enough to nail him for the third out.
The Wildcats threatened to extend their lead in each of the 4th through 7th innings, but could never push one across. In the 7th, Seifert walked the leadoff batter and gave way to Tyler Emmerson. The Indians sacrifice the runner to second and then had a groundout to short before a two out double down the left field line tied the score. After a walk, an infield grounder was misplayed just far enough to allow the winning run to score.
Jefferson pitched two innings giving up two runs on two hits with one walk and three strikeouts. Seifert tossed four innings giving up one run on two hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Emmerson was the hard luck loser, pitching 2/3 of an inning with a run on a hit and a walk. Sophomore standout Josh Jiminez pitched the complete game for the Indians to raise his record to 11-0.
Seven Wildcats had a hit and Wes Sery batted in two runs to lead the way.
That wraps up the Wildcats season at 28-9. Seven seniors – Michael Collins, Brock Stewart, Jason Cullen, Jacob Birlingmaier, Tyler Emmerson, Brandon Brittin and Drew Filosa were the heart of the team this year and had a great season overall.