Tippecanoe Valley Regains Focus To Take Down Rochester
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Tippecanoe Valley Regains Focus To Take Down Rochester
By Anthony [email protected]
In back-to-back Three Rivers Conference games, the Tippecanoe Valley Vikings suffered a 19-1 five-inning loss at Northfield Wednesday, but things went a little better Thursday at home, defeating the Rochester Zebras 10-2.
"Last night's game was rough," first-year Valley coach Ryan Moore said about the Northfield game. "These guys have been dealing with some stuff off the field that has affected morale. I do my best to stop it from affecting (morale), but it's pretty difficult."
That issue was the absence of ace pitcher James Hackworth.
"James has some issues going on with the school right now," Moore said. "It's not for me to talk about."
Moore wasn't open to the media about the issue, but he did hold a meeting with parents following the win.
Hackworth is already signed on to pitch at Indiana State next season, and Moore says he's still a part of the Valley squad.
"He's part of the team," Moore said. "As soon as this stuff with the school gets ironed out, he'll be welcomed back and be right back starting again on the mound. We miss him. He's our best pitcher and every team relies on an ace. But we're going to move forward without him and prepare like he may not be back this year."
Seeming to have come to terms with Hackworth’s absence, the Vikings were more focused against Rochester, although it didn't show early.
Valley's first batter, freshman Jarred Littlejohn, began his team's offense with a shot to the outfield, making it to second, but then turned to take third, where he was thrown out easily.
While it was Littlejohn that made the turn, Moore took the blame for signaling him to go for it.
"I know better," Moore said. "First and third out (can't) be at third base. We got greedy in the first inning, but it's alright because we bounced back and scored 10 runs."
The team’s first run came from senior Brody Andrews, who's second inning lead-off shot was his first at-bat of the season after getting knee surgery, and cut Rochester's lead to 2-1 in the process.
"First at-bat home run — that was pretty nice," Moore said. "I'm proud of him."
The Andrews' shot kick-started the offense, which had every player reach base. with Littlejohn leading the way.
In all, Littlejohn went 3 for 4, with the double, two RBIs, two runs and two stolen bases.
"He's stepping up as a freshman," Moore said. "That's huge. He didn't know he was going to play varsity this year, but he's started every game for us out in left field."
Also for Valley, sophomore Tanner Andrews had two doubles, both of which drove in runs, while junior Dan Miller hit a two-RBI single and senior Kameron Larimer his a two-run homer in the third.
All that offense helped junior Clayton Adamson get the win on the mound.
"I'd say this was Clayton's best outing of the year," Moore said. "He really stepped up and wanted the ball against Rochester, Valley's biggest rival. He stepped up and that's what our pitchers need to do."
Valley plays its third-straight TRC game Monday at home against Wabash.
TIPPECANOE VALLEY 10, ROCHESTER 2
R 020 000 0 — 2 5 2
V 042 202 x — 10 11 3
Clayton Adamson (W, 5IP, 2R, 2ER, 5H, 2K, 4BB), Nick Kindig (6, 2IP, 0R, 0H, 1BB) and Jacob Ritchey; Cyrus Holland (L, 3-2/3IP, 8R, 7ER, 9H, 1K, 2BB, 2HR), Jonathon O'Dell (4, 2-1/3IP, 2R, 1ER, 2H, 1K) and Carter Screeton
2B — Tanner Andrews (V) 2, Jarred Littlejohn (V), Zac Schoen (R)
HR — Brody Andrews (V), Kameron Larimer (V)
Records: Valley 8-6 (2-1 TRC), Rochester 11-7 (1-2 TRC)[[In-content Ad]]
Latest News
E-Editions
In back-to-back Three Rivers Conference games, the Tippecanoe Valley Vikings suffered a 19-1 five-inning loss at Northfield Wednesday, but things went a little better Thursday at home, defeating the Rochester Zebras 10-2.
"Last night's game was rough," first-year Valley coach Ryan Moore said about the Northfield game. "These guys have been dealing with some stuff off the field that has affected morale. I do my best to stop it from affecting (morale), but it's pretty difficult."
That issue was the absence of ace pitcher James Hackworth.
"James has some issues going on with the school right now," Moore said. "It's not for me to talk about."
Moore wasn't open to the media about the issue, but he did hold a meeting with parents following the win.
Hackworth is already signed on to pitch at Indiana State next season, and Moore says he's still a part of the Valley squad.
"He's part of the team," Moore said. "As soon as this stuff with the school gets ironed out, he'll be welcomed back and be right back starting again on the mound. We miss him. He's our best pitcher and every team relies on an ace. But we're going to move forward without him and prepare like he may not be back this year."
Seeming to have come to terms with Hackworth’s absence, the Vikings were more focused against Rochester, although it didn't show early.
Valley's first batter, freshman Jarred Littlejohn, began his team's offense with a shot to the outfield, making it to second, but then turned to take third, where he was thrown out easily.
While it was Littlejohn that made the turn, Moore took the blame for signaling him to go for it.
"I know better," Moore said. "First and third out (can't) be at third base. We got greedy in the first inning, but it's alright because we bounced back and scored 10 runs."
The team’s first run came from senior Brody Andrews, who's second inning lead-off shot was his first at-bat of the season after getting knee surgery, and cut Rochester's lead to 2-1 in the process.
"First at-bat home run — that was pretty nice," Moore said. "I'm proud of him."
The Andrews' shot kick-started the offense, which had every player reach base. with Littlejohn leading the way.
In all, Littlejohn went 3 for 4, with the double, two RBIs, two runs and two stolen bases.
"He's stepping up as a freshman," Moore said. "That's huge. He didn't know he was going to play varsity this year, but he's started every game for us out in left field."
Also for Valley, sophomore Tanner Andrews had two doubles, both of which drove in runs, while junior Dan Miller hit a two-RBI single and senior Kameron Larimer his a two-run homer in the third.
All that offense helped junior Clayton Adamson get the win on the mound.
"I'd say this was Clayton's best outing of the year," Moore said. "He really stepped up and wanted the ball against Rochester, Valley's biggest rival. He stepped up and that's what our pitchers need to do."
Valley plays its third-straight TRC game Monday at home against Wabash.
TIPPECANOE VALLEY 10, ROCHESTER 2
R 020 000 0 — 2 5 2
V 042 202 x — 10 11 3
Clayton Adamson (W, 5IP, 2R, 2ER, 5H, 2K, 4BB), Nick Kindig (6, 2IP, 0R, 0H, 1BB) and Jacob Ritchey; Cyrus Holland (L, 3-2/3IP, 8R, 7ER, 9H, 1K, 2BB, 2HR), Jonathon O'Dell (4, 2-1/3IP, 2R, 1ER, 2H, 1K) and Carter Screeton
2B — Tanner Andrews (V) 2, Jarred Littlejohn (V), Zac Schoen (R)
HR — Brody Andrews (V), Kameron Larimer (V)
Records: Valley 8-6 (2-1 TRC), Rochester 11-7 (1-2 TRC)[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092