Panthers pierce top-seeded Indian Trail

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By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

Up against mighty Kenosha Indian Trail, which was No. 1 in the state and features the No. 2 rated shortstop prospect in the nation, the Panthers defied the odds, defeating the Hawks 4-3 to capture the WIAA Division 1 regional title June 2.

Entering the game, No. 8 seed Wilmot held a 12-12 record, but according to coach Josh Pye, the Panthers started heating up towards the tail end of the season – setting them up for a solid showdown against the 22-3 Hawks.

“We had been playing well the second half of the season, we lost a few games early in the season to ranked teams and we hoped that had prepared them for tough games down the stretch,” Pye said.

The Panthers’ regional title came despite two pitchers combining for 11 walks, including starter Troy Hickey, who issued nine, but struck out five and allowed one earned run on five hits through 4 2/3 innings.

Pye credited the team’s defense for backing up Hickey, and reliever Josh Schattner, who threw the rest of the game, struck out two, walked two and allowed one earned run on a hit.

“Troy struggled with his control most of the game and walked a few batters,” Pye said. “We got into jams almost every inning and our pitchers kept battling and our defense stepped up for those two to make big plays and put the game away.”

Of the 11 walks, three were issued to Gavin Lux, the No. 2 rated shortstop prospect in the nation, according to Baseball America.

However, Pye stated the two pitchers learned from their previous meeting against Lux, avoiding pitches over the plate.

“Obviously Lux was a big factor in this game that we had to pay attention to,” Pye said. He was patient and took three walks as we tried not to leave anything over the plate for him to drive.”

The Panthers jumped to an early 2-0 lead, thanks a two-run first inning, where the Hawks committed three errors.

Singles to leadoff hitter Justin Paasch and Gunner Peterson, and a passed ball advanced both runners into scoring position, and eventually scored on a two-out throwing error.

Gunner Peterson went 2 for 4 with a run scored.

After the Hawks added a run in the bottom of the first inning, Wilmot answered in the top of the second inning, starting with a Michael Williams walk.

With Williams at first base, Hickey moved him to second on a sacrifice bunt, to bring Nicholas Rainey up to the plate, who singled to center field.

Paasch, who went 2 for 4, then singled up the middle to plate Williams.

The Panthers added their final run in the fifth inning, with a Ryley Orszula fielders choice, plating Tanner Peterson, who singled.

In a hard fought game, Pye came away impressed with the Panthers’ composure, noting they took the contest in stride.

“We wanted the guys to go into this game loose and relaxed and just play good baseball and see what happens,” Pye stated. “They did that and came away with a win.”


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