Dixie Evens Season Against Northridge
J. C. Tilton
The Dixie baseball team ended their season at home on a high note. They hosted league foe Northridge for the final home game of the regular season. The teams 4 seniors would all contribute to the win. And the victory would draw the team even to a 10-10 record before playing Waynesville and then going into the state tournament.
Dusty Staggs got the nod to pitch for this game. He kept the Polar Bears scoreless for the first 4 innings. He was able to generate several strikeouts and didn't give up any extra base hits. The fifth inning was when things got a little out of sync His teammates had given him a 12-0 lead. He had given up a few walks during the game, but he gave up a single, then hit the next batter with a pitch. It looked like he would wiggle out of the inning when the next two batters flied out and struck out. But the third out was elusive. The bases were walked full and then walks and a single scored three runs for the Polar Bears before Dixie could send the Polar Bears back to the dugout. But Dixie put an end to the game in their half of the 5th inning when a sacrifice fly scored the 13th run ending the game with a run ruled 13-3 victory.
Defensively the team played cleanly. Catcher Nick Bertke made a critical play in the second inning when he threw out a base runner caught napping on a called third strike. He whipped the ball to second base and the runner was then tagged out, ending the Northridge scoring threat. Later in the third inning, he also threw out a player stealing, which made the Polar Bears stick close to the bases. Ryan Sinnamon also made a nice running catch in left field. Curtis Tuttle rifled a throw from the outfield to third base that nailed a Northridge runner.
The bats were hot against Northridge. Robbie Brewer had a 2 run homer. Wiley Vires had three hits, including 2 doubles. Coach Bingham was asked for comment after the game, “The four seniors all contributed to the win - pitching, catching, hitting the home and finally the sacrifice fly that scored the final run. It was good effort by all four of them.” The coach was asked if he had thought about pulling Staggs when he had the rough 5th inning, “Nope, this was his last home game and figured that I would let him finish it out.” On Vires three hits, “He is a sophomore and has contributed well all year.” Nick Bertke - “He has done well behind the plate this season, he is tough to run against.” The Greyhounds will be playing Preble Shawnee in the first round of the state tournament. Comments: email: Chris Tilton
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