Tigers Shut Out Warriors To Open NLC Play With Win
April 19, 2023 at 10:20 p.m.
Tigers Shut Out Warriors To Open NLC Play With Win
By Connor McCann-
Both starting pitchers, Reed Reidenbach for Wawasee and Kyle Showley for Warsaw, had little trouble dispatching their opponents in the first inning. The Tigers were able to put a couple of runners on in the first, but two punch outs from Reidenbach would be enough to quiet the rally. Showley allowed just one baserunner in the first and picked up a K to end the inning.
Warsaw was able to bother Reidenbach again in the second, putting three runners on, including a stand-up triple by Josh Reihl. The Warrior starter was able to maneuver out of trouble however, and the two sides entered the third still scoreless.
“We did a great job of getting guys on base from the jump,” Warsaw head coach Andy Manes said after the game, “We’re not going to score every inning because baseball is hard but we did a great job of putting pressure on them early and often. Stuff like that gives us a great chance of winning.”
The third would be the inning everything began coming together for the Tigers. After a strikeout of the leadoff man by Reidenbach, the next five Warsaw hitters would reach base. The first run of the game would be scored by Austin Polk on an RBI double from cleanup hitter Hunter Dippon. A costly error by the Wawasee shortstop on a grounder from catcher Cohen Heady would bring in two more runs. Reihl would drive in the fourth run of the inning on a single before scoring the fifth and final run of the frame on a single by Logan O’Malley.
Now pitching with a lead for the first time, Showley made quick work of the Warrior hitters in the bottom half of the frame, sitting them down in order. The senior went 4+ innings, giving up zero runs, one hit and striking out four.
“He was attacking the zone, changing speeds and keeping them off balance,” Manes said. “They’ve got some really good hitters over there, guys you can’t just keep throwing fastballs to. He did a great job mixing up his pitches.”
Two more runs would come in to score in the fourth for the Tigers after a leadoff double by Josh Shapiro and a single from Polk. The second knock would see Reidenbach leave the game after 3+ innings. The starter gave up four earned runs and struck out five.
Warsaw leadoff hitter Jette Woodward would get in on the fun in the top of the fifth, driving in another run on a double. The Tigers would add three in the top of the frame to extend their lead to double digits.
Wawasee had one final chance to extend the game in the bottom of the fifth, putting the first two hitters aboard and then loading the bases shortly after with a single from Ty Brooks. The effort to continue the game would be snuffed out by the Tiger defense, as Reidenbach grounded out to third to end the game.
The Tigers are back at home Wednesday night against Goshen with first pitch at 5:30 p.m. The Warriors are also at home Wednesday night, hosting Mishawaka at 5:30 p.m.
Both starting pitchers, Reed Reidenbach for Wawasee and Kyle Showley for Warsaw, had little trouble dispatching their opponents in the first inning. The Tigers were able to put a couple of runners on in the first, but two punch outs from Reidenbach would be enough to quiet the rally. Showley allowed just one baserunner in the first and picked up a K to end the inning.
Warsaw was able to bother Reidenbach again in the second, putting three runners on, including a stand-up triple by Josh Reihl. The Warrior starter was able to maneuver out of trouble however, and the two sides entered the third still scoreless.
“We did a great job of getting guys on base from the jump,” Warsaw head coach Andy Manes said after the game, “We’re not going to score every inning because baseball is hard but we did a great job of putting pressure on them early and often. Stuff like that gives us a great chance of winning.”
The third would be the inning everything began coming together for the Tigers. After a strikeout of the leadoff man by Reidenbach, the next five Warsaw hitters would reach base. The first run of the game would be scored by Austin Polk on an RBI double from cleanup hitter Hunter Dippon. A costly error by the Wawasee shortstop on a grounder from catcher Cohen Heady would bring in two more runs. Reihl would drive in the fourth run of the inning on a single before scoring the fifth and final run of the frame on a single by Logan O’Malley.
Now pitching with a lead for the first time, Showley made quick work of the Warrior hitters in the bottom half of the frame, sitting them down in order. The senior went 4+ innings, giving up zero runs, one hit and striking out four.
“He was attacking the zone, changing speeds and keeping them off balance,” Manes said. “They’ve got some really good hitters over there, guys you can’t just keep throwing fastballs to. He did a great job mixing up his pitches.”
Two more runs would come in to score in the fourth for the Tigers after a leadoff double by Josh Shapiro and a single from Polk. The second knock would see Reidenbach leave the game after 3+ innings. The starter gave up four earned runs and struck out five.
Warsaw leadoff hitter Jette Woodward would get in on the fun in the top of the fifth, driving in another run on a double. The Tigers would add three in the top of the frame to extend their lead to double digits.
Wawasee had one final chance to extend the game in the bottom of the fifth, putting the first two hitters aboard and then loading the bases shortly after with a single from Ty Brooks. The effort to continue the game would be snuffed out by the Tiger defense, as Reidenbach grounded out to third to end the game.
The Tigers are back at home Wednesday night against Goshen with first pitch at 5:30 p.m. The Warriors are also at home Wednesday night, hosting Mishawaka at 5:30 p.m.
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