Right-hander Bradford Helps Whitko Move to 6-0
April 12, 2017
By Steve Krah
PBR Indiana Correspondent
SYRACUSE — Whitko senior right-hander Drew Bradford tossed a two-hitter with 13 strikeouts as the visiting Wildcats beat Wawasee 3-1 Tuesday, April 11 in non-conference high school baseball.
Bradford (3-0, 1 save) tossed a seven-inning complete game in 110 pitches with one walk. He faced 26 batters.
“Sometimes it just takes a couple more pitches to get your arm loose,” Bradford said after the game played on a cool afternoon. “I feel I got stronger as the game progressed and that helped us out in the end.”
Warriors coach Brent Doty came away impressed with Bradford.
“He had velocity and a little curve ball,” Doty said. “He kept us off-balance.”
Whitko (6-0) scored one unearned run in the second inning off Wawasee starter Blake Norris (1-1; (4 1/3 innings, 3 runs, 1 hit, 7 strikeouts, 5 walks).
Wildcats No. 9 hitter Zach Morris drew a bases-loaded walk on a full count to force in Zach Hewitt (on base by walk). Hewitt had moved to second on an error and stole third base by beating out a pickoff attempt.
Warriors catcher Gavin Barker hustled to catch a foul pop for the first out in a scoreless Whitko third.
Wawasee produced one baserunner and no hits through the first three innings. The Warriors had two runners aboard with one out (Jake Crousore on by error to lead off the frame and Jacob Garcia with a one-out single to left) before Bradford retired the next to batters to end the threat.
Norris whiffed seven through four innings.
Whitko plated two runs in the fifth inning.
Landen Goff drew a lead-off walk and later scored on an infield hit by Austin Hollowell.
Bradford also walked and later scored from third base when he beat the throw to the plate on a pick-off attempt.
“We tried to draw a throw and see what happens,” Wildcats coach Erik Hisner. “It was heads-up baserunning by Drew to get a good read.”
Left-hander Cayden Wegener relieved right-hander Norris with one out and runners on first and second base in the fifth inning.
Right-hander Carter Woody spelled Wegener (two batters faced, 0 runs, 2 hits, 0 strikeouts, 0 walks) with one out and runners on second and third in the fifth.
“Both teams took advantage of some mistakes,” Hisner said. “We had some good at-bats and they walked us for the first run. We put the ball in play with two outs to get our second run. We ran kind of a special play to get our third run.
“We weren’t driving the ball. It was kind of the old fashion way of get ‘em on, get ‘em over and get ‘em in.
Wawasee (2-2) tallied one run and left a runner stranded at third base in the fifth.
Blaine Greer opened the frame with a double to center field, stole third base and trotted home on a wild pitch.
Jeremiah Bess walked, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch but was left there on two straight strikeouts by Bradford.
Woody (2 1/3 innings, 0 runs, 1 hit, five strikeouts, 0 walks) wound up facing eight Wildcats.
Both teams are scheduled to play again Thursday, April 13 — Whitko is at Lakewood Park and Columbia City visits Wawasee.
More News
4.12.17
INDIANA DAILY ROUNDUP: APRIL 11 GAMES
4.12.17
THE HOTLIST: STANDOUT FRESHMEN
4.12.17
THE RODE SHOW: MCKEITHAN, GIL SHINE AGAIN
4.12.17
RECRUITING ESSENTIALS: PROFESSIONAL TEXTING WITH COLLEGE COACHES
4.11.17
INDIANA DAILY ROUNDUP: APRIL 10 GAMES
4.11.17
THE RODE SHOW: OFFENSIVE DAY 1 AT IMG NATIONAL CLASSIC
4.11.17
INDIANA SCOUT BLOG
4.11.17
2017 DRAFT BLOG
4.10.17
INDIANA DAILY ROUNDUP: APRIL 7-8 GAMES