Published: June 03, 2009 12:14 am      

CLASS A: Warriors leave no worries

CAI beats South Central, claims sectional title

ELIZABETH — Ryan Wheeler has lost three sectional games as baseball coach at Christian Academy of Indiana, two of which came in the opposing team’s final at-bat of the game.

So you had to forgive the Warrior boss for getting a little nervous on Tuesday night in the last inning of the final at the Class A South Central Sectional.

“It just doesn’t end fast enough,” said Wheeler. “I’ve seen it all before.”

The Warriors held off a modest South Central rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, winning the school’s first sectional title since 2004 with a 6-3 victory over the host Rebels in the final.

“Oh man, it doesn’t feel much better than this,” said Wheeler, who let out a huge sigh before answering post-game questions. “I’m so proud of these guys. There was a game plan to come here and win, and they did everything that they needed to walk out of here champions.”

Evan Strong capped a six-run fifth inning outburst for CAI with a three-run homer, and Trey Haendiges scattered five hits over seven innings to deliver the win on the mound for CAI, which advances to play in the Class A Loogootee Regional on Saturday.

CAI will play Tecumseh in the first semifinal of Saturday’s regional at 11 a.m. Vincennes Rivet will play the Springs Valley Sectional champion in the second semi at 1 p.m.

The Warriors followed a similar script to the win that they did last Saturday in a 12-7 win over Henryville in the sectional semifinal.

CAI scored six times in the third inning against the Hornets, sending 10 batters to the plate as it rolled to an advantage that it never relinquished.

In the fifth inning Tuesday, CAI sent 10 batters to the plate en route to scoring six times for a lead it would hold for good.

Justin Sturgeon got the Warriors rolling on their big rally in the final by drawing a leadoff walk from Rebel starter Chip Hockenberry. The Warriors’ Paul DeVore singled and after a sacrifice bunt by Levi Stewart advanced the runners to second and third base, Joel Sellers was able to reach on an error to load the bases with one out.

The next batter, Nick McKain, then lined a two-run single past second baseman Wesley Hedden to tie it at 2-2. After J.B. Butner struck out, Haendiges put the Warriors ahead with a single.

“We had great at-bats,” Wheeler said. “Even when we weren’t getting on early, we were working the count and seeing pitches. We were patient until we got pitches to hit and took advantage.”

Strong followed Haendiges with a blast over the 340-foot sign in dead center field, chasing Hockenberry from the game.

“He got behind me 2-0 in the count and I was looking for a fastball,” said Strong. “We had talked in batting practice about looking for the fastball when you’re ahead in the count, and I got one I could drive.”

The lead was more than enough for Haendiges.

The senior lefty fanned eight batters in the first six innings, surrendering a two-run homer to Elliott Thompson that made it 2-0 in the fourth.

“The team knows I like to pitch with a lead and then they came back and got it for me,” said Haendiges. “I could relax and focus on throwing strikes and trying to keep runners off base.”

There were a few nervous moments in the last inning for CAI fans. The Rebels got back-to-back singles from Hockenberry and Thompson to lead off the inning and put runners on first and third with no outs.

But Haendiges settled in. He retired John Lopp on a groundout to first that allowed Hockenberry to score and then struck out Joe Metcalf and Corey Dennison to end the threat and the ballgame.

Haendiges finished the game, allowing 10 hits and not walking a batter.

“I love that kid,” said Wheeler about Haendiges. “He doesn’t get himself into any trouble. He stays aggressive in the zone and doesn’t walk people.”

McKain went 2-for-4 with two RBIs for the Warriors.



CLASS A SOUTH CENTRAL SECTIONAL

CHAMPIONSHIP

CHR. ACADEMY 000 060 0—6 6 0

SOUTH CENTRAL 002 000 0—2 5 1

W — Haendiges. L — Hockenberry. 2B — Higdon (S). HR — Strong (C), Thompson (S).