Written by JC Madey

The Westminster Christian Academy Wildcats (25-5) once again over-powered their competition as they defeated Kirksville 9-5.

Heading into the game Head Coach Rich Van Gilst knew the Class 3A Sectional Championship game come easy for his ball club.

?We knew that they were a very sound team.  We knew that they were scrappy and played good defense and we knew they would battle to contend,? stated Coach Van Gilst.

Yet the Wildcats seemed to prove him wrong.  Westminster?s offense broke open in second inning, scoring all nine of their runs in the frame.  After a leadoff double by junior third baseman Luke Turner and an infield error, freshman shortstop Shane Benes scored Turner on a sacrifice fly.  Although Kirksville pitcher Preston Miller later recorded the second out of the inning, the floodgates for the Wildcats opened up.  Westminster went on to score eight of their runs with two outs.  An RBI single by senior Collin Henry and two-run double by junior Tate Matheny (right) put confidence in the Wildcats, and they never looked back.

?We just want to get a pitch we can drive,? proclaimed Matheny.  ?Everyone is going up there looking for their pitch and hit it hard.?

Matheny (.515, 9HR, 51RBI) finished the day 1-2 with two walks.  Senior designated hitter Alec Mitchell and junior left fielder Connor Einertson also contributed on the day with 2 RBIs as well.

Sophomore Benjamin Lovell picked up the win for Westminster.  Lovell admits to being timid on the mound to start the game.

?I was a little nervous going up there in the first inning,? said Lovell.  ?I knew that if I could get my first pitch over for strikes and let my defense play then I would be good.?

And that he did, as 11 out of 15 outs for Lowell were made by his defense.

?We have a solid defense.  Our corners, middle infielders, and outfielders are all great,? Lovell exclaimed.  ?I don?t know how Matheny caught the ball he did, but it was a boost for me.?  Lovell?s comment refers back to a catch made by the center fielder, where he tracked down a deep fly ball in the gap to save a hit and possibly multiple runs.

For the game, Lovell went five innings deep, with four strike-outs and only three earned runs. 

?He battled for us, and definitely kept us in the ballgame,? added Coach Van Gilst.

Starting pitcher for Kirksville Preston Miller went an inning and two-thirds and gave up four earned runs for the Tigers.  Although he picked up the loss, Miller only gave up fours hits to a very potent Wildcat lineup.

The Wildcats are now faced with a different challenge; preparing for the State Semi-Finals.  Coach Van Gilst says the following week will not be a time for his team to clack off.

?I told them they could have the weekend off, but we?re going to come back on Monday and work everyday,? said Coach Van Gilst.  ?We?re going to get back to the fundamentals and do a lot of things we havn?t been able to do because of the rain.?

As for the players, they?re just excited to being heading to Springfield.

?We?re ready,? stated Matheny.  ?I?m excited for it, and I know the rest of the team is too.?