Wildcats fall in sectional final
Lead Summary
By
The Highland County Press-
MOWRYSTOWN - The championship season for the Whiteoak Wildcats came to an end on Thursday in the sectional round as they dropped a game to Clay 3-1 at WHS.
The Wildcats end the season at 12-16.
Against Portsmouth Clay, the game was a battle between pitchers with WHS freshman Gage Carraher allowing no earned runs of the three that were scored. Carraher finished the game by allowing six hits and one walk as the three runs crossed home plate. The freshman hurler struck out eight batters.
At the plate, Jesse Bradds gained two hits for the Wildcats at 2-for-3, including a double. Michael Carraher and Zach Docter each had a double. Gage Carraher also had a hit in the Division IV Sectional final.
The Wildcats scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the third. Clay scored all its runs in the top of the fifth.
"We scored first which seems to be important in tournament games," WHS head coach Chris Veidt said. "We started being overly aggressive at the plate going down on seven pitches with our two, three and four hitters in the bottom of the inning."
WHS had a chance to tie the game in the sixth and seventh innings but was unable to bring any runners home.
"We were unable to get the clutch hit that we needed in the late innings," Veidt said. "We hit the baseball hard, but so did Clay. The difference was the baseball fell for them and our hits didn't. It was just one of those days where lady luck wasn't on our side."
Burchett, for Clay was the winning pitcher, but also gained what turned into the winning hit of the game in the fifth inning. He hit a two-run single down the right field line.
"Burchett beat us," Veidt said. "He had a big hit and obviously pitched an outstanding game."
Even though it was a loss in the postseason, WHS had a few plays that stood out.
"Gage pitched an outstanding game and Jesse Bradds was impressive with two hits and threw out one runner.
"Ben (Barnett) turned in an excellent play at shortstop in the second inning for the third out, which save at least one run."
The season stood out as the Wildcats won its third straight Division II SHL title.
"I told the kids they have much to be proud of," Veidt said. "Most people didn't give us a chance and it is tough to say goodbye to the four seniors. This season we were very young and inexperienced. If these young men continue to increase their baseball IQ and work at their skills, the sky is the limit the next few seasons."
The four seniors included: Ben Barnett, Ethan Eyre, Ben Ruark and Corey Hughes.
"Our four seniors are quality young men that have done everything asked of them. Their parents raised them well.
"I also want to thank Coach O'Cull. I couldn't ask for a better assistant coach."
BOX SCORE
WHS 000 030 0 - 3
PCHS 001 000 0 - 1
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