Lincoln Southwest 2, Lincoln Southeast 1

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Lincoln Southwest Head Coach Doug Kaltenberger didn't hesitate.  "I didn't think twice," he said after the game.  With one out in the bottom of seventh, the game tied at one apiece and Dustin Bloch standing at third base, representing the winning run for the Silver Hawks, "Coach K" called on sophomore Taylor Doggett to get a bunt down on a Josh Scheffert fastball as he sent Bloch racing towards home on a suicide squeeze.  His young rightfielder executed the bunt perfectly, pushing it towards the first base line. Bloch slid home safely for the winning run as the throw from Scheffert came in late.  Southwest 2, Southeast 1.

"That's a play we work on everyday," said Kaltenberger.  "Even though it was a green sophomore at the plate against a talented, overpowering senior pitcher, I had confidence that Taylor could get the bunt down for us." 

Kaltenberger had huddled with both Bloch and Doggett to call the play moments earlier while a Southeast defensive conference was taking place on the mound.  Bloch had just tied the game with a one-out triple to the wall in right center that scored Vince Flynn from first base,  erasing a 1-0 deficit and giving the Silver Hawks new life.  During the pow-wow, Kaltenberger instructed Doggett to take the first pitch and that Bloch would be racing home on the second.  The first pitch was a fastball up and away that was something of a pitchout, as though the Knights were expecting a squeeze.  With his seven-hole hitter at the plate, Kaltenberger figured the All-Nebraska pitcher would be bringing the heat.  And, that's just what Doggett saw on Scheffert's second delivery -- a fastball down the middle.  "I was just hoping to get a pitch that I could do something with and hoping that I could get it down," said an excited Doggett after the game.  "He did his job," said Kaltenberger.  "Just like we practice it everyday."

Scheffert had kept the Southwest hitters off balance all night, giving up only two hits going into the bottom of the seventh and striking out seven, including the first three hitters of the game.  "We knew that we were going up against a very tough pitcher," said Kaltenberger.  "We talked about being patient, trying to see as many pitches as we could so that the more we saw, the better we could handle them.  I think our patience paid off late in the game."  Mark Korsakas led off the seventh with a blistering ground ball right at freshman shortstop Tanner Kirk, who made a nice play to get the first out.  Korsakas was followed by Flynn who flared a ball into centerfield that dropped in front of centerfielder Jaydee Jurgensen.  That put the tying run aboard for the Silver Hawks.  And, then Bloch ripped a shot into right center to score Flynn and set up Doggett's heroics.  "I was looking fastball," said that senior right-handed designated hitter.  "It was outside, and I was able to take it into right center."

The winning run gave Southwest starter Adam Peters his third win of the season, a complete game three-hitter with eight strikeouts.  "Adam has been strong in all of his three starts." said Kaltenberger.  "He worked very hard in the off-season, has gotten stronger and throws four pitches.  He has a lot of composure and confidence on the mound."  The only blemish on the night for Peters was a fourth-inning wild pitch that allowed Jordan Kirk to score from third for the Knights' only run.  Kirk, who had doubled in the inning, and Bloch had the only extra base hits of the night as both pitchers were in control.

"There's a lot of respect between these two programs," said Kaltenberger. "We know that we're going to see them several more times this season, and we're going to need to be at our best for every one of those games.  They're a very good ballclub."  | Game Photos |