AKRON — Facing the defending Class 2A state champions, the Tippecanoe Valley baseball team was given an opportunity to get a big Three Rivers Conference win at home Thursday. Ranked No. 1 in Class 2A, the Northfield Norsemen (12-3, 2-1 TRC) were coming off a 6-4 home loss to Wabash Wednesday, but had their ace Ryan Keaffaber on the mound against Valley (3-8, 1-2 TRC). After going one inning, the Indiana State University-bound Keaffaber was pulled, despite striking out two of the three batters he faced. “I can’t remember if it was his elbow or shoulder, but something didn’t feel right for him,” Northfield coach Tony Uggen said of Keaffaber. “He threw seven (innings) three days ago and threw one inning last night (against Wabash). It was like, ‘Uhhh, it’s not worth throwing away a whole season.’ The good thing was, (senior) Andy Maggart was really expecting to pitch and he went out and threw a heckuva game.” With Keaffaber out, Valley’s bats were still quiet as Maggart went six innings, striking out five and giving up four hits in an 8-1 win. After giving up two hits and an unearned run in the second inning, Maggart only gave up two more hits the rest of the way, none of which came after the fourth inning. Not knowing how well Maggart would do, Valley coach Brandon Cody had hoped his squad would take advantage of Keaffaber getting pulled. “Our kids were ready to face Keaffaber, but when we came out, I don’t know what was going through their heads,” Valley coach Bandon Cody said. “I’m at a loss for words. I really am.” In Maggart’s first inning on the bump, with his team up 2-0, Valley senior Clayton Adamson reached on a one-out error, which was followed by back-to-back singles from sophomore Drake Hyden and junior Isaac Shewman, the latter scoring Adamson. With runners at first and third with one out, Shewman was then thrown out after wandering too far off first, which was followed by a strikeout by senior Nick Kindig that ended the rally. “We’re not taking advantage of some of the good plays we’re having or capitalizing off their mistakes,” Cody said. “We just can’t get anything going.” That second-inning opportunity was Valley’s last, as it only reached second base one more time, that coming in the sixth inning off two-straight Northfield errors. While Valley was stumbling, Northfield was hitting. Hammering out 12 hits, senior Andy Roser inflicted the most damage, going 3 for 4 with two doubles, two RBIs and a run. “He’d been batting third all year and had been struggling – flaring out with his front shoulder,” Uggen said of Roser. “So I moved him down to (No.) 6, and I don’t think he was happy about it, but after three hits, he was looking at me like, ‘O.K. Thanks.’” Also for Northfield, Keaffaber, who went on to play in the outfield after getting pulled, went 2 for 3 with a double, two runs and two stolen bases and sophomore Shane Vigar was 1 for 2, driving in three runs. Northfield’s offensive production seemed to be based more on its talent than the pitching of Adamson, who went five innings in the loss. “He had a little velocity and seemed to put the pitches where he wanted,” Uggen said, referring to Adamson. “We just made contact and hit it hard.” In his five innings, Adamson allowed nine hits and five runs, but Cody wasn’t blaming him. “He pitched on three days rest and he looked good,” Cody said. “He was grooving and he pitched well enough to win this game. We just didn’t support him offensively.” Valley’s offense was limited to singles by junior Tanner Andrews, senior Mason Teel, Hyden and Shewman, but it was the defense that was the bright spot. Along with Andrews making a fantastic diving stop and throw for an out from his shortstop position, freshman catcher Garrett Bell was also on his game. Staying active, Bell hauled in two pop-up foul balls and also threw out 2 of 6 base stealers, with even the successful steals being very close. “Garrett’s improved tenfold over the season,” Cody said of his backstop. “At the beginning of the season, he had a real problem of getting throws through the bag at second. Tonight, he was throwing sharp. He’s going to be good for us.” Valley is right back on the diamond today, traveling to Argos for a 5 p.m. game.
NORTHFIELD 8, TIPPECANOE VALLEY 1 N 022 013 0 – 8 12 3 TV 010 000 0 – 1 4 1 Ryan Keaffaber (ND, 1IP, 0R, 0H, 2K, 0BB), Andy Maggart (2, W, 6IP, 1R, 0ER, 4H, 5K, 0BB) and Andy Roser; Clayton Adamson (L, 5IP, 5R, 5ER, 9H, 3K, 3BB, 1HB), Gabe Harlan (6, 2IP, 3R, 2ER, 3H, 1K, 1BB) 2B – Roser (N) 2, Keaffaber (N), Records: Northfield 12-3 (2-1 TRC), Valley 3-8 (1-2 TRC)
