East Holmes Senior League one win away from Little League three-peat for State title
By Dave Mast
July 25, 2011
464
East Holmes is on the verge of becoming Ohio again.
In a grueling game which was as taxing mentally for the East Holmes Senior Little League team as it was physically for the players battling the 90-plus degree heat, the Hawks were able to keep it together mentally, outscoring Elyria 9-0 over the final four innings to blow open a tight contest and advance to the finals of the Senior League State tournament. Should the team emerge victorious, it will then represent Ohio in the Central Regional in Peru, Ill. against 11 other Central and Midwest U.S. teams.
This is one of the toughest games I have ever coached in, said East Holmes head coach Mike Yoder. Between the heat, and the close game and trying to manipulate the pitch count so we have guys left to throw in the finals, its mentally exhausting.
After a scoreless first, East Holmes got things going when Sheldon Mullet and Blake Bunch ripped back-to-back doubles. Bunch would later score on a Kendall Bontrager sacrifice fly, then with two outs Kyle Troyer walked, stole second and raced home when the ball sailed into center-field.
East Holmes pitcher Kevin Schrock eked through the first two innings unscathed, leaving three runners on and getting a big throw-out at second base on a steal attempt by Bunch in the second, but the third proved to be his undoing. Schrock allowed a hit and two a walk, and was relieved by Bontrager, who had been lights out in the first two games for East Holmes. However, a couple of walks and an error led to two runs, and then Bunch fired a throw into center field on an errant pick-off attempt to bring in the tying run.
With momentum squarely with Elyria, the Hawks quickly responded. Bunch, Caleb Miller and Bontrager all walked, and after Troyer struck out, Richie Mast grounded into a fielders choice to make it 4-3. After Mast stole second, an errant pick-off attempt at third base allowed not only Miller to score, but Mast as well, as the fleet-footed Hawk raced home all the way from second base.
It was huge for us to respond like we did there and get momentum back, said Yoder.
After Bontrager got an out in the third, Jordan Yoder entered the game, with a runner on, and gave up a hit and allowed a walk to load the bases. However Yoder induced a foul pop on a 3-2 pitch, and sprinted in to make a running grab near the Elyria dugout.
East Holmes then continued to take full advantage of some Elyria miscues. Schrock led off with a single, and after Todd Ropp reached on an error, and both advanced on a wild pitch, Mullet delivered a sacrifice fly to make it 7-3 and Bunch singled in a run to go to 8-3. The Hawks got their final three runs in the sixth, the big hit coming off the bat of Ropp, who knocked in a pair with a single to left, but by then all of the enthusiasm Elyria had shown early on was nowhere to be found. The heat, and East Holmes ability to keep constant pressure on the base paths, had taken its toll. Bunch came in to close the game out in the latter stages of the sixth inning, and the Hawks found themselves planted firmly in the drivers seat in the finals.
I thought Jordan really pitched well after he finally got his rhythm, said Yoder, who was able to save the left-hander for the finals. Blake really looked good too, and we havent even used Todd Ropp yet. Pitching-wise we are set up really good, because we have everyone but Sheldon to throw in the finals.
So the Hawks drove the three-plus hour trip home, extremely exhausted, but fully appreciative of the situation they now are in. And should they get their win, it will mark the third straight Senior League State crown for East Holmes.
We wont ever take that for granted, said Yoder. These dont come along all that often. Hopefully we will be able to deliver on Wednesday.
