Author: Chris Seifert

3-31-2011 vs. Springfield Sacred Heart Griffin Cyclones

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Griffin Cyclones	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	3	6	0
NCWHS Wildcats	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	6	3

 

Wildcats Fall to the Cyclones

The Normal West Wildcats lost 3 – 1 in a pitcher’s duel to Springfield SH Griffin at West Varsity Field on Thursday.  Dustin Detweiler pitched well for the Wildcats, but one error plagued inning made the difference as the Cats’ record falls to 4-3 on the season.

Detweiler was the hard luck loser, pitching the first five innings and only giving up three unearned runs on six hits with two walks, a hit batter and three strikeouts.  Ryan Speller pitched the last two innings, facing the minimum when his one walk turned into a ground ball double play.

The Wildcats only run came in the 3^rd inning when Speller led off with a single and stole second base.  A Garrett Cook ground ball caught Speller in a rundown between second and third, but allowed Cook to take second base.  Alex Jefferson then singled him home.  Adam McGinnis led the Wildcats with two hits on the game.

The Wildcats return to action tomorrow at East Peoria against the Raiders at Dave Rodgers field.

3-29-2011 vs. Pekin Dragons

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Pekin Dragons	1	0	2	3	0	0	0	6	6	0
NCWHS Wildcats	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	2	3	6

 

Wildcats Fall to the Dragons

The Normal West Wildcats lost to the Pekin Dragons at chilly West Varsity Field 6-2 in a game the Wildcats would like to soon forget.  Sloppy fielding got the Wildcats down early and the offense couldn’t solve hard throwing southpaw Beau Barnes.  The Wildcats fall to 4-2 with the loss.

Kyle Vaughn was the hard luck loser for the Wildcats as unearned runs put them behind and they couldn’t get timely hits to drive in runners.  Vaughn tossed four innings, allowing six runs with four earned on six hits and two walks, three hit batters and four strikeouts.  Mac Byrd came on in the 5^th and got three outs after a walk.  Matthew James finished up by striking out the first five hitters he faced and getting the sixth on a grounder.

 The Wildcat offense was pretty quiet.  It did draw seven walks and get hit once, but the only runs came on a Matthew James double to right, a strike out that got past the catcher to put runners at the corners and a Kyle Vaughn double over the center fielder to drive them in.  Alex Jefferson doubled for the Wildcats third hit.  Vaughn was on base three times with two walks to go along with his hit and Adam Seifert drew three walks.

The Wildcats get back in action quickly with a home game against the Springfield Sacred Heart Griffin Cyclones at 4:30 on Thursday.

3-28-2011 vs. Bartonville Limestone Rockets

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
Limestone Rockets	1	1	0	1	2	0	0	5	6	5
NCWHS Wildcats	5	0	0	0	0	0	1	6	7	4

Wildcats Escape the Rockets

After jumping out to a 5-1 lead after one inning the Normal West Wildcats had to scratch out heart-stopping 6-5 win on the last play of the game.  Adam McGinnis’ double in the bottom of the 7^th with the score tied was following by a Matthew James walk with no outs.  Wes Sery had hit three ropes already in the game and looked to bring home the winner, but his line smash right at the first basemen almost lead to a triple play.  The fielder stepped on first and threw to second to nail McGinnis, but his throw was off the mark into left field.  When the left fielder tried to get the runner at third, his throw got past the fielder and McGinnis raced home for the victory.  The Wildcats up their record to 4-1 on the season.

The Wildcats started very slow with three errors in the top of the 1^st and luckily only gave up one run.  Alex Jefferson made a big play when, backing up an errant throw in center field, he cut down one runner at third.  In the bottom of the inning, Adam Seifert got aboard on an infield error and moved up on a balk.  Adam McGinnis promptly brought him in with a single up the middle.  Matthew James then tripled to center driving in a run and scored on a Wes Sery double down the right field line.  Erik Sipes walked and stole second before Kyle Vaughn drove them both in with a single to center. 

The Wildcat bats went quiet after that, only getting two singles over the next five innings to set up the game-ending dramatics. 

Dustin Detweiler got the win on the mound in relief of Adam Seifert.   Seifert started and lasted 4 2/3 innings giving up five runs with three earned on six hits, a walk and three strikeouts.   Detweiler came on with two outs in the 5^th and a man at first and set down all seven hitters he faced, including an excellent diving catch in right field by Alex Jefferson.

The Wildcats were led with two hits by McGinnis and Sery and two runs batted in from Kyle Vaughn.

The Wildcats return to action tomorrow at home against the Pekin Dragons at 4:15.