#1: La Plata wins first state baseball title

Close Calls

La Plata?s baseball program had come close to winning championships before the 2011 season started. The six seniors, Taylor Wheeler, Cole Wheeler, Christian Bunch, Hayden Fouch, Tyler Clay and Ty Hettinger helped the Bulldogs finish in third place in the state in 2009, before being upset in the district playoffs in 2010.

The group was determined to come back with a title in 2011. ?

?I think the first time we went down there [to Springfield] we were really nervous and excited for the first game,? Fouch said in June. ?In the second game, we were much more focused.?

A hot start

La Plata started the 2011 win with 12 wins before the Bulldogs lost to Pilot Grove 2-1. La Plata would then win three of its last four game, falling to Westran 6-4, finishing the regular season 15-2. In the Class 1, District 13 playoffs, the Bulldogs beat Atlanta (11-1) and Canton (3-0) to win the crown.

In the state playoffs, La Plata beat Brunswick (10-0) in the first round, before upending the defending state champions Concordia to advance to the Final Four.

Bulldogs coach Steve Carvajal said before the Final Four he said few things
compared to the joy of going to state.

?It doesn?t get old, ever. It?s a dream come true anytime you make it there [state],? Carvajal said in June before the team made the trip to Springfield. ?Every coach thinks his team deserves to get there, but this group really does. They?re a good group of kids who love baseball and winning this title would be the pinnacle for us.?

Champions

At the state tournament, La Plata beat St. Elizabeth 9-8 to advance to the state title game after being down to its final out in the championship game. Taylor Wheeler singled in Hettinger on a 1-1 pitch that gave the Bulldogs the win.

The title game against Liberal was also packed full of drama. La Plata junior Justin Riggins held Liberal down for six innings, allowing La Plata to build a 7-3 lead. It was the first time Riggins had pitched since the district playoffs.

?I found out yesterday after the game [the semifinal game against St. Elizabeth] that I was going to start today,? Riggins said after the game.?When coach said I was on the hill,I was a little nervous,I just went out there and took it to them.?

Liberal cut the lead to 7-6 and had a runner on second when Clay came in and closed out the game. Clay forced a ground ball that Fouch fielded and threw in the dirt in front of first baseman Taylor Wheeler, who tagged the based and for the final out.

?I just had to go in and throw strikes,? Clay said in June. ?A lot was going through my head, I?m not got to lie to you. I threw strikes and we made the play. I was a little worried [when the throw went in the dirt], but I know that [Taylor] Wheeler had the hands to get the job done.?

Carvajal was overwhelmed by the experience.

?It was pretty special. It was pretty emotional, I mean, I love baseball,? Carvajal said. ?This is a great group of kids. To do it the way I like to coach, we stole home twice in the state championship game. We played really aggressive.?

Source: http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?r5679736970

boxing news boxing andy dalton corporal kelsey de santis corporal kelsey de santis ufc on fox juan manuel marquez