FULTON – Triton needed to play very well and then catch a few breaks to move its baseball season along. Instead, the breaks all went Fort Wayne Blackhawk’s way in the Trojans’ 14-0, five-inning loss in the opening game of the Class 1A Caston Regional Saturday. The Braves’ first five batters all reached base and four scored before Triton starting pitcher Nate Flenar could get credit for an out in the first inning. He got out of the inning without further damage, but had more trouble in the second inning and was pulled in favor of Zac Pitney. The senior righty didn’t fare much better against the Braves, who weren’t hitting the ball especially hard most of the time but had at least five grounders get just past Triton defenders for singles. Blackhawk scored three times in the second inning to take a 7-0 lead. Pitney worked through a quiet third inning, but then the Braves knocked him out of the game when they sent 12 batters to the plate in a seven-run fourth that ended any hope of a Trojan comeback. “Nate just didn’t have a lot of snap on his ball like he did (at the sectional final against South Central),” Triton head coach Brad Hargrave said. “I think all three of the pitchers we put out today, the spots just weren’t there. They weren’t hitting the spots, and with a good hitting ball team, they are going to put runs up and put runs up quick on ya. That’s how baseball goes. “They hit the ball, and their ball had eyes. Our ball couldn’t see in the dark. We didn’t hit the cover off the ball, but when we did they made good plays. I saw two outstanding plays their third baseman (Andrew Pierce) made. That kid can play.” Nerves also seemed to play a role as Triton was going for its first regional baseball title since 2001. “Mentally, our heads weren’t there,” said Hargrave. “You’re going to have those days and, unfortunately, too bad it was (Saturday).” After the game, the Trojans spent some time reflecting on their season and looking to the future. “I’m definitely proud of this team right here,” Hargrave said. “Them seniors, coach (Jake) Burnett and I have been with them since they were freshmen. They mean a lot to us. We’ve worked with them, and just really proud of them. To come out and get a sectional championship, that’s nothing to sneeze at. Them guys, I’m really proud of the entire roster. “Now, let’s just go back to work.” Washington Township, coached by Warsaw graduate Randy Roberts, beat North White in the other regional semifinal 7-3. The Senators then beat Blackhawk 4-2 for the regional title and will face Rockville in a semistate game in Kokomo Saturday.
