Bats bust loose against Belleville West
But that didn't affect the Tigers much despite facing a pitching staff that came into the game yielding 2.2 runs per game and allowed just 10 runs in the past 11 games.
In the top of the sixth, the first six Tigers scored as Dominic Patterozzi provided the big blow with a three-run homer that made the score 11-5. Ted Messer drove in three more runs with a bases-loaded double in the top of the seventh as the Tigers won 14-5 to advance to the Sauget Super-Sectional against Glenwood."It doesn't take much to keep these guys up," EHS senior Todd Baumgartner said. "We weren't scared one bit (after Alberter tied the game). We knew we were scoring runs all day long and sure enough we came back."
West starter Otto Roberts kept the Maroons in it as he allowed an RBI single to Patterozzi in the first and three more in the top of the fourth as Jimmy Smith singled in two runs and Dane Opel drove in another with a sacrifice fly.
"We didn't hit a lot of balls hard early on," EHS coach Tim Funkhouser said. "We hit some flares and some balls that got through the infield. We were pretty fortunate early on. But later we had some pitches that we centered better. We've seen (Roberts) twice before and he's been really good. He wasn't as good as the other times but he's an excellent pitcher. To be able to put the ball in play against a guy like that is an accomplishment and to be able to find holes is good too. We knew all their pitchers had success throughout the course of the year. I think Roberts is one of the best pitchers in our conference and we knew that coming in."
The Tigers made Roberts work as he left after four innings.
"I really liked our approach of making every pitch count," Funkhouser said. "We didn't give away many at-bats."
After Maroon reliever Randy Hoelscher struck out the first two batters in the fifth, Blake Conreaux ripped a home run to give the Tigers a 5-2 lead.
Tiger starter Greg Culp allowed three runs, two earned, in four and a third innings of work. The Maroons then got to Elliot Frey who finished the fifth allowing two runs, including the two-out, two-strike home run to Alberter.
But then the Edwardsville offense exploded in the sixth and seventh as the Tigers touched up Hoelscher for four runs, three earned, in an inning of work and Jonathan Schweppe for six earned runs in two innings.
"Edwardsville is such a good offensive team," West coach Lee Meyer said. "They're hard to hold down. That's the best hitting team in Southern Illinois. We knew that coming in. They saw our (Nos.) 2, 3 and 4 (pitchers), the best we had, and they just went out and took care of business. You have to tip your cap to them."
While Patterozzi and Messer led the offense with four runs driven in apiece, it was truly a team effort as nine Tigers scored runs, eight had hits and six drove in at least one run.
"Everybody had their hitting shoes on today," Baumgartner said. "We had a lot of fun out here. Everybody was getting a little piece of those runs. Everybody helped out."
Baumgartner scored three times as he went 2-for-3 with an RBI and two intentional walks, those walks didn't bother him with Messer and Patterozzi due up next.
"I love to hit but anytime they're going to intentionally walk me to get to those guys, I'll do that all day long," Baumgartner said. "Those guys have been hitting the ball really well."
After the Tiger offense took control in the top of the sixth, EHS senior Spencer Hoppes took command on the mound as he struck out four straight Maroons. With two runners and two out in the seventh, Michael Strope came in to get the final out.
The Tigers had an emotional week as they edged Highland 2-1 in the sectional semifinal on Wednesday and the seniors had to get prepared for graduation later Saturday afternoon.
"Last night I couldn't sleep because I was so anxious to get out here and play," Messer said. "Winning like this is great. The last two or three years we've lost in this game and last year we lost pretty big and I was pretty upset about that so we were able to come back from that and play well."
"I think this was very special to come out here after that win (against Highland)," Baumgartner said. "We were still hyped up from that win, we were ready to go. We like to focus more on the game (than graduation). Obviously it's going to be a big day for us seniors. We're pretty excited to get graduation over and done with and walk but I think we were really focused on the game and not worried too much about what's going on next."
The Tigers improved to 33-5 while West ended its season 28-5.
"They're a great team," Messer said. "They have some great pitching. This proves since we did what we did today that we can hit good pitching and we can put up big numbers against some good teams."
The Maroons also went 12-2 in the Southwestern Conference.
"This kind of group is the reason you coach, a lot of fun, a lot of hard work and respect among the team for each other," Meyer said. "It was just a great year for us. You hate to lose it. You always want one more. Edwardsville has done it all year. They're averaging nine plus runs per game and they came out and showed us why. They have depth of pitching too. Patterozzi is their No. 1. I thought Culp did a nice job. They have what it takes and we wish them the best of luck.
E-mail:jcavato@yourjournal.com
