Lutheran vs Perry Meridian
April 11, 2015
As we began the 2015 baseball season, Lutheran Baseball had high hopes and expectations. The team included 6 experienced seniors, 2 promising juniors and 1 very skilled sophomore. We had pitching, good defense and we showed some signs of being able to get some hits.
Our first game of the season against Greenwood Christian was rained out. I do not remember why the season was beginning so late into April, but we went to play a doubleheader versus Perry Meridian on Saturday, April 11. Holder Field was not available for some reason so we played the games at the diamond behind Perry Meridian High School. It was the first time I had been there. The diamond was a lot better than I thought it would be.
Starting the game, we were confident that we could compete against
Perry Meridian. We had won both games versus the Falcons at LHS in 2014 with two walk-offs. I am sure they were ready for us. On the mound for PM was senior Dusty Baird. Baird was 6’5”, a senior, had a velocity of around 90 mph and was planning on attending Brown University on a baseball scholarship.
Pitching for us on opening day was Seth Hougesen. Seth was a very good pitcher. Seth was 6’1”, lefthanded, threw in the mid to high 80’s and we had high expectations that Seth would have a great year.
Our line up for the games was:
Addison Robertson | CF/SR |
Cody Moncel | SS/SR |
Jake Reid | 3B/JR |
Seth Hougesen | P/SR |
Austin Mays | LF/SR |
Austin Klase | C/SR |
Spencer Owen | RF/JR |
Jason Sneed | 1B/SR |
Patrick Kem | 2B/SO |
The top of the first inning began with Addison Robertson working his way on with a walk. We wanted to test their catcher, and he passed the test by getting Addison at 2nd on a stolen base attempt. Cody went down on strikes and Jake grounded out 4-3.
The Falcon’s lead off hitter, Mitchell Garrity, reached base on an error. Their second hitter reached on a walk so we were not off to a great start. Seth had worked out the nerves because he struck out the next 3 hitters on 15 pitches.
Our half of the 2nd inning began with Seth being hit by a pitch. Austin Mays grounded out to the third baseman but Seth was able to move to 2nd. Seth was able to move to third base on a wild pitch with one out. Austin Klase then got a clutch hit and we were up 1-0. Spencer walked and then Jason hit a ground ball that their third baseman made a force play at 3rd for the second out. Pat then popped out to shortstop to end our half of the inning, but we were up 1-0.
Austin Klase
Seth was dominating in the bottom half of the 2nd with 3 strikeouts and one batter reached base due to an error. After two innings, 1-0, Saints.
Starting in the 3rd inning, Baird retired 9 of the next 10 hitters, walking one batter in the fifth.
In the bottom of the 3rd,Seth got Garrity on a groundball to Kem for the 1st out. The second hitter singled, and the 3 hole guy hit a groundball to Pat who threw to Cody for a force at second. The clean up hitter singled but Seth struck out the fifth hitter to end the inning. After 3 innings, 1-0, Saints.
For Perry Meridian in the bottom of the 4th, they did get a one out single, but Seth had 3 strikeouts with the other hitters. Saints 1-0 after 4 innings.
In the 5th inning, Perry Meridian got a little action going. After a lead off fly out, they had back-to-back singles to get runners on 1st and 2nd. The runner on 2nd stole 3rd so they had runners on 1st and 3rd with one out. Seth got their clean up hitter to popout to Pat Kem. Seth struckout the fifth hitter for the third time to end the inning. After 5 innings, Saints led 1-0.
Seth had a relatively easy inning in the bottom of the 6th by getting a strikeout, fly out and another strikeout. After 6 innings, the Saints led 1-0.
In the top of the 7th, the Saints went down in order. Baird had gone 7 innings with 2 hits allowed, 8 strikeouts, 3 walks, 1 HBP and 1 run/earned run. A very good performance. Seth was going back out to get the win.
A little nervous, Seth walked the number 9 hitter to lead off the bottom of the 7th. The lead off hitter, Garrity, then hit a groundball to Pat at 2nd who went to Cody for the force at 2nd base. One out. The next hitter then walked, so runners on 1st and 2nd with one out and the number 3 hitter coming to bat. Max Heyob had singled his previous at bat but this time Seth got him to fly out to Addison in centerfield. Two outs. The clean up hitter, Kyler Fleener, then flew out to Spencer Owen in rightfield to end the game. Saints 1-0 winners!
I recall being very anxious during this game as I always wanted our teams to compete and beat the bigger schools. Perry Meridian was coached by Jon Carpenter. Coach Carpenter always had good teams as a coach at Southport and Perry Meridian.
This game was a big win for Lutheran Baseball. Seth did a great job with 7 innings pitched, 5 hits, 3 walks and 13 strikeouts!
Certainly Seth had one of the best pitched games in Lutheran Baseball history.
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