Lutheran South Advances to the Class 3 Championship Game

Reported by Jack Witthaus

 

Lutheran South won an ugly Class 3 semifinal game 8-6 over Savannah with only four hits. The Savages gave up a whopping 11 walks and two errors using four pitchers in the effort and saving their ace McFadden for the last 1 and 1/3 innings.  

Savannah scored twice in the first frame with a string of four singles. Starting pitcher Tyler Wilt knocked home shortstop Blake McFadden. Following suit, first baseman Caleb Bounds brought around second baseman Zane Wilt with a looping single into right field.

Tyler Wilt, however, struggled early on with command, walking four Lutheran South batters and allowing a base hit. The miscues continued when Savannah catcher Clayton Holt let a ball squirt between the pads and then made a throwing error to second, allowing two runners to score.

Wilt was lifted after going a mere 1 and 2/3 innings, giving up a total six walks and two hits.

Wilt's replacement, Preston Bailey, didn't look much better. After getting out of a bases loaded jam in the second, Bailey allowed the ducks to get on the pond in the third. This time, Lutheran South's first baseman Ryan Strohm singled to center, and after an error by the center fielder Blake Deal, drove home three RBI's to make the score 7-2.

Dalton Duane relieved Bailey in the fourth and the mistakes followed him as well. A wild pitch allowed Lancer's catcher and best hitter Sam Gieg to score, making the score 8-2.

With the large lead, South's starter Brandon Downey started to settle down going five innings and striking out seven. In the fifth, however, Downey ran into some trouble, giving up  a double to Zane Wilt which scored McFadden.

The Savages again attempted to rally in the top of the sixth. Starting with Bailey, five consecutive Savannah hitters reached base on singles, scoring three runs. All the runs were charged to Downey, who was sent to the bench after giving up three of the base knocks.

Tomorrow at 1 p.m., Lutheran South will play the winner of the Westminster-Marshall game which starts today at 1 p.m. at Meador Park.