Indian Baseball Off to 4-2 Start
Up against the same pitcher that ousted the Indians in last year's Class 5A sub-state tournament, the Hays High School baseball team came out with a mission against McPherson's Sam Stucky in Friday's first game of its most challenging day of baseball to date.
With the exception of a middle-inning letdown against the Bullpups, Hays High coach Frank Leo was pleased with his team's performance in a split with two perennial powers in 5A baseball, falling 7-3 to McPherson, then defeating Wichita/Kapaun-Mt. Carmel, 5-3, in McPherson.
The offensive letdown, and a shift in momentum in Friday's opener, has been the only disappointing event in a 4-2 start to HHS' 2008 campaign.
"it was a good day of baseball for us,"¬ Leo said. "Our guys were ready for that ball game and anxious to go head-to-head against (Stucky) again."
Hays High was patient at the plate in the opener, taking Stucky deep into counts. The Indians loaded the bases in the first inning, but left the runners stranded. Then, in the second inning, Hays High loaded the bases again, but poured three runs across to take a 3-1 lead.
"Last year (in sub-state) we just couldn't figure him out,"¬ Leo said.
After the three-run inning chased Stucky, things fell apart for the Indians. Indian senior starter Nathan Meier lost his control, and a potent offense went missing.
"It seemed like we thought the game was over," Leo said. "We got Stucky out of there and weren't as competitive as we were earlier."
Four walks by Meier yielded four McPherson runs, and Hays High didn't answer, collecting its second loss of the year.
In the nightcap, the Indians rebounded with a come-from-behind win, with senior Sam Rohleder "slamming the door," Leo said, for his first save of the season.
Hays High blasted out 11 hits and had no errors, taking advantage of small ball in the late innings to secure the win.
"We regrouped and had a tremendous game against Kapaun," Leo said. "We executed the bunt late in the game and had some key hits and key defensive plays.
"It was a good day against two quality ball clubs to continue our road trip," Leo added.
The eight-game road trip to start the season continues Thursday as the Indians travel to Western Athletic Conference foe Liberal.
"You never know with Liberal," Leo said. "Every once in a while, they come up with a good pitcher, but we just need to take care of our business."
In the early going, the Indians' business has been offense. Led by junior Thomas Rohleder (.450 with eight RBIs), eight Indians are batting at least .300. Only one of those players, Meier, has not been in the lineup in all six games.
"I like the attitude of this ball club," Leo said. "With six seniors, they're on a mission. Our offense has been a big key for us and our small-ball game has been good."
The Indians have put up 46 runs in six games, and held opponents to 27 with a team earned-run average of 3.93.
"The defense has been decent, but our pitchers need to work on throwing more strikes," Leo said. "That's kind of been our war to lose, is our control on the mound. We have to get that figured out."
After playing Liberal, Hays High will have its home opener April 15 against WAC rival Great Bend, which is unbeaten going into this week's action.
"We can't look past Liberal, but we are anxious to get back home,"¬ Leo said. "We'll just get through this week, hopefully with two more wins, and then get ready for a home stand."¬
Three of Hays High's final four doubleheaders will be at home, plus the Western Plains Diamond Classic May 1-3. The only road doubleheader in that stretch is an April 22 meeting with Larned.