Eastbrook Scores 12 Advances to Sectional Championship

By Ben Grossberg

Decatur – Whitko and Eastbrook faced off in the second semifinal of Sectional 23 for a spot in the Championship game on the Monday. The game turned into an offensive battle with both teams having big innings.

Eastbrook got on the board first with three runs in the top of the first. Senior Heath Brooksher got the first run on the board with a RBI single. After an out sophomore Josh King had RBI single of his own and Junior Alex Campbell followed with a sacrifice fly bringing in the third run of the inning.

Eastbrook added another run in the top of the second. With runners on the corner Brooksher hit a pop up behind the shortstop, for what should have been the third out of the inning, but miscommunication from the shortstop, left fielder, and center fielder allowed the ball to drop bringing in a run.

Whitko cut into the lead in the fourth inning. Junior Ethan Nicodemus led off the inning with a single and sophomore Zach Snep followed that up with a homerun deep over the left field fence cutting the deficit to 4-2.

Eastbrook responded, like they did every time, Whitko scored runs. The managed to push across four runs in the top of the fifth. After a walk and a single, Josh King came through with his second RBI single of the game. Campbell hit a ball just passed the pitcher and when the shortstop tried to make the play at first the ball got away allowing another run. A RBI groundout from Josh Shook brought in the third run of the inning and a sac fly from Tyler Joseph pushed the lead to 8-2.

Whitko put two more on the board in the bottom of the fifth. With two outs Senior Ryan Weingold came through with a two runs double to cut the deficit to 8-4.

Eastbrook again responded. With runners on the corners, Whitko intentionally walked Brooksher to get to Nathan Shaw. Shaw made Whitko pay with a bases clearing double giving Eastbrook a 11-4 lead. Shaw would score on a error making the score 12-4.

Whitko cut into the lead again with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. An error gave them their first run of the inning. A RBI single from Nicodemus and a RBI groundout from Snep cut the deficit to 12-7.

Whitko could not come through in the bottom of the seventh. After a leadoff walk Andrew Black set down the next three batters to give Eastbrook the 12-7 win and get them to the sectional championship game on Monday against Norwell.