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It doesn't take rocket science to understand what it will take for Wawasee to win the Warsaw Sectional beginning Monday.
Rod Holterman.
The senior pitcher will try to carry his team to the sectional title on his left arm. Of course he can't do it himself, but there are times this season when he has tried.
He threw a no-hitter against Goshen on May 2 with 12 strikeouts and he threw a one-hitter against Central Noble on Tuesday. His 1.27 ERA is stunning and his 112 strikeouts in 77 innings are amazing.
"We have to rely on our pitching to keep us in the game," Wawasee head coach John Blunk said. "If you read the newspaper you know who I'm going to pitch. It's no surprise."
But who can Blunk surround Holterman with to score runs and play defense behind him?
"Our four seniors (Holterman, Rob Burke, Shawn Johnson, Josh Mitchell) need to lead," Blunk said. "They need to come through. Right now the sophomores and juniors are doing a pretty good job. The seniors aren't playing bad, but it's their year and they have to step it up. I'm not asking anyone to do anything over their capability. I just want them to play a steady game and don't try to do anything more."
Last year Wawasee went 9-16 but have turned that around to 14-11 this year. One of those losses came against Columbia City, the Warriors first round opponent this year. Wawasee lost to Columbia City 9-2 the first time, but Blunk was fairly stoic about playing them again.
"They're one of the teams in our sectional. It didn't matter who we play. We have to play our best baseball. You can't do anything about the draw. You've got to win three to win (the sectional)."
If Holterman can pitch a typical game and Wawasee can get by Columbia City, it gets a little easier, but not much. Wawasee would then play the winner of the Warsaw vs. Central Noble game. Wawasee defeated Central Noble 10-0 in that Holterman one-hitter. The Warriors also defeated Warsaw twice, 5-1 and 8-4 in eight innings. After that Wawasee would meet Churubusco or Whitko. The Warriors lost to Whitko on Thursday night 8-5.
"The first game is always the big hurdle, no matter who you're playing," Blunk said. "With any of the five other teams in our sectional, you've got to win the first one. It doesn't make any difference after that."
Wawasee will begin on Monday at 4:30 p.m. The semifinals will take place at noon on Saturday, June 7 and the finals would then start at 4:30 p.m.
"We've just got to play one at a time," Blunk said. "It's a new season. Anytime Columbia City and Wawasee hit the field, it's a good game, so anything can happen."
Warsaw Baseball Sectional
Monday, June 2
4:30 p.m. - Wawasee vs. Columbia City
Tuesday, June 3
5 p.m. - Warsaw vs. Central Noble
Saturday, June 7
9:30 a.m. - Churubusco vs. Whitko
Noon - Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner
4:30 p.m. - Championship game
Plymouth Baseball Sectional
Monday, June 2
4:30 p.m. - Plymouth vs. Triton
7:30 p.m. - Glenn vs. Oregon-Davis
thursday, june 5
5 p.m. - LaVille vs. Bremen
7:30 p.m. - Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner
Saturday, June 7
8 p.m. - Championship game
Culver Baseball Sectional
Monday, June 2
4:30 p.m. - Culver Community vs. CMA
Tuesday, June 3
4:30 p.m. - Caston vs. Tippecanoe Valley
Saturday, June 7
9:30 a.m. - Argos vs. Rochester
Noon - Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner
3 p.m. - Championship game
Wabash Baseball Sectional
Monday, June 2
4:30 p.m. - Oak Hill vs. Huntington North
7:30 p.m. - Manchester vs. Wabash
thursday, june 5
4:30 p.m. - Southwood vs. Northfield
7 p.m. - Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner
Saturday, June 7
7:30 p.m. - Championship game
