Huebner saves the day for West Holmes in 11-7 victory over East Holmes in Junior League opener
By Dave Mast
July 9, 2011
638
The opener of the District 4 Little League Junior League tournament was supposed to be a classic pitchers dual between West Holmes hard-throwing Levi Jones and East Holmes Zach Mast.
A fine pitching effort won the game, but it wasnt from either starter, but rather West Holmes Kevin Huebner, who turned a massive slugfest into an 11-7 win for West Holmes.
With each teams top hurler taking the mound, runs were thought to be scarce, but a case of wildness on the part of both parties led to a circus around the bases.
West Holmes scored two runs in the first inning without even putting one single ball in play. After Logan Gallion fouled out to begin the contest, Mast plunked Devin DeHass and walked Jones, before striking out Brody Miller. But Mast then proceeded to walk Brandon DeHass and Huebner, which scored the first run. Jones scored on a wild pitch, and it could have been much worse if Mast hadnt picked Devin DeHass off of third base to end the inning.
Hilands Zach Coblentz cranked a single through the left side off Jones to begin Hilands first, and stole second. Jones promptly walked Brandt Miller and hit Clyde Yoder, and Coblentz eventually raced home on a wild pitch, but Jones then struck out East Holmes four, five and six hitters to end the threat.
The second inning got much worse for Mast, as he walked Mitch Tyson and Adam Croup before Gallion laid down a beautiful bunt single to load toe bases. Devin DeHass then walked, and that was the end of the day for Mast on the mound. Yoder relieved Mast, and after getting two ground outs, gave up an RBI single to Brandon DeHass to make it 5-1 West Holmes.
Jones continued the game of wildness, in the bottom of the inning. After striking out Joey Gatti after falling behind 3-0, Mast drew a walk, and Eric Miller singled. Coblentz also singled to load the bases, and Brandt Miller drove in a run on an error. Miller and Coblentz scored on wild pitches, and Yoder walked before Justin Wagler popped out to second for the second out. With runners on second and third, and nursing a one-run lead, West Holmes coach Don DeHass turned to Huebner, who promptly struck out Eric Mullet to end the threat, leaving West Holmes up 5-4.
That was a really big out, said coach DeHass of Huebners performance. I really thought Kevin came in and quieted the game down. Everyone was thinking pitchers dual, but the way it went, it was becoming a track meet. Kevin just came in and really pitched well.
West Holmes went back to work off of Yoder in the third. After Spike Miller struck out, Cody Straits crushed a triple to right-center, driving in Mitch Tyson, who had walked. After Gallion walked and advanced to second, Devin DeHass singled in a run, and Jones reached on a fielders choice, forcing DeHass at second but plating another run to make it 7-4. Brody Miller, Brandon DeHass and Huebner then laced consecutive singles to make it 10-4.
Huebner just kept taking the mound and getting outs, before giving way to the pitch count, where Straits took over in the sixth inning.
Straits gave up one run in the sixth, and then had to fend off a spirited East Holmes rally in the seventh. With West Holmes leading 11-5 East Holmes scored two runs and had the bases loaded, but could get no closer.
I give our kids credit, because they didnt give up, said East Holmes coach Brian Mullet. We felt that this was a winnable game right up until the end. We just walked way too many batters to win. You cant afford to do that. Zack has been really solid all year, and this is the first time I have seen him struggle with his control like that. Maybe it was nerves, but that is unusual for him. I can honestly say that when it comes time for me to give him the ball again, I will do it and feel very good about our chances.
Coach DeHass related the same sentiments about Jones, noting that while he has struggled with control at times this season, it was nothing like this.
The game definitely didnt follow the script, thats for sure, said DeHass. Levi had been mowing people down coming into this game. Im not worried about him. He will have better days ahead. This just wasnt one of those days.
As for his teams struggles in the field, DeHass said that because of the team members playing almost all of their games on 80-foot bases, the move to the bigger field at Lehman Field at Hiland High School could have easily played a part.
We looked at times to be a little bit awkward playing on the bigger field, said DeHass. But Ive got faith in these kids that they will adjust. Hopefully it was just a matter of getting the opening game jitters out of them.
Mullet said that while his team played nearly flawlessly in the field, it was hitting and pitching that spelled doom for his team.
Too many called strike threes and too many walks, lamented Mullet. We had Levi in trouble, and thought we were in great shape when we knocked him out in the second inning. Kevin threw well though, you have to give him credit. He came in and threw strikes.
Having stepped into a hornets nest in the second inning, Huebner said of his performance, I knew I had to come in and throw strikes and get us out of there. I tried to hit the outside corner and we went up high quite a bit. They seemed to want to chase the high fastball. Levi is our guy, and everyone has bad nights. I just figured I had to come in and make them hit it to beat us. Getting off on the right foot with a win is pretty important for us. Hopefully we can settle in now and play good ball.
West Holmes advances in the double elimination tournament to face Tuscarawas County, which had a buy, while East Holmes moves to the losers bracket, where they will play Sandy Valley, which was drilled by North Canton 14-4.
