By Jason McGrann, Centerville Daily Iowegian
July 23, 2008 10:48 am
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DES MOINES – The Centerville baseball team came out just like the weather during the opening round of the state baseball tournament – hot.
The first five hitters in the Big Red order ripped hits as Centerville score three first-inning runs against third-ranked Charles City (31-8) in the 3A state quarterfinals Tuesday afternoon. The Big Reds never looked back, cruising to an 11-1 five-inning victory via 10-run rule. The victory marked Centerville’s first win at the state tournament in 20 years.
Fifth-seeded Centerville (30-7) advances to face top-ranked and defending champion West Delaware (39-3) on Friday at noon in the 3A semifinals.
The victory did come with a price. Centerville cleanup hitter and the top hitter at the 3A state tournament, Wallace Carter, left the game in the first inning after pulling his hamstring while attempting to score a run.
Carter rounded third base and half way down the line began to hobble toward home plate where he was thrown out on a close play. Carter laid down near the plate in obvious pain while trainers tended to him. After a few tense minutes for Centerville, Carter walked off the field and into the dugout where he stayed the remainder of the contest. It wasn’t long before Centerville head coach Bill Huisman embraced Carter in the dugout during an emotional moment for the senior slugger.
“It was emotional for both of us,” commented Huisman. “We hope Wallace can get well enough to play for us on Friday. That’s a major concern I have right now. He is a tough kid so we’ll see how it goes.”
The Big Reds did everything well during the contest. Centerville belted 16 hits as a team while senior hurler Patrick Harshman shut down the potent Charles City offense.
“I thought our kids did what they’ve done all year – we hit the ball hard. When we get offensive chances every inning we’re going to put some runs on the board. It seemed like every inning we were knocking on the door,” commented Huisman. “I expected Charles City to put the ball in play a little more. I thought Patrick (Harshman) did a great job; he only gave up one run.”
Harshman improved to 12-1 on the mound after scattering three hits while striking out three in five innings of work.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” said Harshman. “We went out there and beat a quality opponent. I thought it would be a dog fight, but we’ll take it. I felt really good today. It probably wasn’t one of my better pitching performances because I had three walks. The defense made some nice plays.”
Harshman admitted he had a few pre-game jitters.
“I was really nervous. I’d never been here and I was a little awestruck. After we started swinging the bats it went away really quick,” Harshman said.
Centerville junior shortstop Michael Kauzlarich was pleased with the way the Big Reds performed. Kauzlarich was a big reason why Centerville rocked the Comets, going a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate to lead the Big Red offense.
“It feels really good especially after coming close to making it last year,” stated Kauzlarich.
Harshman, Tyler Gray, Jordan McCoy and Jay Schmidt added two hits each for Centerville. With the Big Reds leading 10-1 in the bottom half of the fifth inning, Schmidt (who replaced Carter in the first inning) belted an RBI double off the left field wall, scoring John Allgood and giving Centerville a walk-off win.
West Delaware advanced past Cedar Rapids Xavier with a 13-0 victory on Tuesday.
“They’re a nice ball club. We’re going to have our hands full. But in a one-game situation I’ll take on anybody,” said Huisman.
Kauzlarich isn’t intimidated by the defending champs.
“Every team up here is good so you know you’re going to get a battle every time. We just have to be ready to go,” added Kauzlarich.
Despite throwing five innings Tuesday, Harshman will take the mound again on Friday for the Big Reds.
“I think we have to go with Patrick. It’s the number-one team and defending champion,” added Huisman.
Despite only two day’s rest, Harshman will be ready for Friday’s semifinal matchup.
“I want to be out there on the mound,” added Harshman.
Centerville 11, Charles City 1 (five innings)
Charles 0 1 0 0 0 - 1 3 2
Cville 3 0 2 4 2 - 11 16 0
Centerville battery - Patrick Harshman [W, 12-1] (5IP, 3H, R, ER, 3BB, 3K), Trent McFarland catching.
Hitting - Michael Kauzlarich 4-4, Harshman 2-3, Tyler Gray 2-4, Jordan McCoy 2-2, Seth Thomas 1-3, Tyler Burge 1-3, Zach Armington 1-1, Wallace Carter 1-1, Jay Schmidt 2-2.
2B - Gray, Schmidt, McCoy.
RBI - Gray 2, Schmidt 2, Thaler Carter 2, Kauzlarich, Carter, McCoy, Thomas.
Runs - Jaylon Burgin 2, John Allgood 2, Kauzlarich 2, Gray 2, Schmidt, McCoy, A.J. Hoffman.
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