Wildcats 3-peat as SHL champions

    MOWRYSTOWN — It was a three-peat night for the Whiteoak Wildcat baseball program Friday at Whiteoak High School. Not only did the Wildcats gain an 11-9 Southern Hills League win over rival Fairfield, but won no less than a share of the Division II SHL crown.

    "This season we have senior leadership with youthful talent," WHS head coach Chris Veidt said. "We knew at the start of the season we could be competitive, and we also knew we had a talented freshman class coming in. We mixed them with the seniors and the rest of the guys, and this is a special team."

    Though the Lions trailed by two runs when the final out was recorded, they allowed the Wildcats to score eight unearned runs in the first two innings, including a seven-run second for an 8-0 score.

    In the first meeting between the Highland County rivals this season, WHS won 3-2 in nine innings.

    The first WHS run came with senior Ben Barnett hitting an infield single to start the game. Barnett scored on a base hit past second base by Zach Docter on the ensuing at-bat.

    The following Whiteoak inning began with Luke Taggert reaching on an error. After stealing second, along with the first out being recorded on a throw to first base, Mike Carraher scored Taggert from third on a sacrifice fly.

    Then six two-out runs were displayed on the scoreboard as WHS sent eight players to the plate before the inning was wrapped up.

    With two outs, Ryan Emery was hit by a pitch, followed with Barnett hitting a single. Docter followed with a base hit of his own, and Gage Carraher belted a double to score both Emery and Barnett. 

    As the scoreboard read 5-0, Eyre doubled in Docter and Carraher for a seven-run advantage. Taggert reached on an error, allowing Eyre to cross home plate.

    "We spotted them eight unearned runs in the beginning, and we couldn't come back," FHS head coach Jeff Miller said. "The kids battled and our pitchers pitched well, we just didn't back them up.

    "We just made too many mistakes, either with base running or fielding. To be champions, you must play solid defense."

    The Lions weren't finished as they started their climb back for their shot at the SHL crown.

    Sammy Williams began the inning with a base hit. Michael Carson followed with a walk and Ian Adams singled.

    After the first out was recorded, Tyler Campbell blasted a three-run home run to put the Lions back within striking distance of their Highland County rival.

    WHS (10-13, 9-5) came back in the bottom of the same inning to increase its lead to 10-4.

    Senior Ben Ruark singled to centerfield to start the inning. Emery followed with a base hit of his own. After Docter walked with one out, Gage Carraher forced a walk with the bases full, scoring Ruark. Eyre followed with a sacrifice fly deep in the outfield to score Emery.

    "We had big hitting, especially with two outs," Veidt said. "But with an eight run lead, you can't let up. We did, and Fairfield made it a close game. It got a little crazy at times."

    Again, the Lions responded with another big inning, scoring five runs, with all the runs coming from their first five batters who batted in the inning.

    Tolle began with a base hit, then was followed with Kyle Carson walking, and Williams being hit by a pitch to load the bases. Michael Carson forced a base on balls to score Tolle. Another walk was forced by the Lions as Adams gained an RBI as Kyle Carson jogged to home plate.

    Bobby Wilson drew the fourth walk of the inning, scoring Williams. The walks were brought home when Campbell hit a two-run single to score Michael Carson and Adams.

    A tough defensive play was made as Jesse Bradds, the WHS catcher, threw out Wilson as he attempted to steal third, with Taggert making the catch and applying the tag. Docter, now pitching in relief, recorded the final out of the inning on a called third strike.

    The game's final run came in the bottom of the fifth with Barnett scoring on a ground out (6-3) by Gage Carraher. Barnett took second on an error and was moved to third on a ground out by Docter.

    "The play by Zach (Docter) with the ground hit, allowing Ben to reach third, was huge," Veidt said.

    WHS ended a rally of sorts by FHS with a 4-3 double play.
     Eyre gained the win on the mound for the Wildcats. Eyre allowed nine runs (all earned) on four hits and five walks. He finished with one strikeout. Also pitching for the Wildcats were Docter and Gage Carraher. Docter had one strikeout, while Carraher struck out two batters.
     Miller was the starting pitcher for FHS and was charged with the loss. He allowed eight runs (none earned), finishing with two strikeouts.Wilson and Campbell pitched in relief for the Lions. Wilson had one strikeout and Campbell gained two strike outs against the Wildcats.

    This SHL crown is the eighth SHL title for the Wildcats. They now have won championships in '71, '81, '99, '00, '04, '08, '09 and '10.

    WHS will play again on Saturday as they are scheduled to host Southeastern. FHS is scheduled to play a doubleheader Saturday and on Monday travel to Eastern Brown.

FHS   004 500 0 — 9 5 3

WHS  172 010 x — 11 11 2