Coach Ben Kleber changed his Trinity Lutheran batting order for Saturday’s baseball game against Springs Valley.
He had seniors Tyler Goecker, Lawson Woods, Jack Marksberry and Jake Mau hit in the first four positions of the batting order and they responded with a combined 6 hits including 3 for extra bases, 5 walks, 9 runs, and 5 RBI to lead the Cougars to an 11-9 come-from-behind win over the Blackhawks.
“That’s what I’m looking for, a little senior leadership,” Kleber said. “Lawson moved back in the two hole today and responded and got a hit (and walk) for us, Jake had some big hits, Tyler was hot all day. Jack did his job at the plate and came in and closed it out (on the mound). That was nice to see.”
The Cougars trailed 9-6 entering the bottom of the sixth. Kleber said, “Our energy level was not there today. This is the first time this year that I felt we didn’t show up, so I’m happy that we persevered, and kind of found an extra gear there in the sixth to come back and get a W.”
Goecker led off the bottom of the sixth with a double, he advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a hit by Woods. After Marksberry walked, Mau doubled off the centerfielder’s glove in deep center field to score Woods and Marksberry and tie the game.
Andrew Bell singled to drive in Mau, and Kowan Gross singled to drive in Bell and complete the scoring.
The Cougars (10-9) scored in 4 different innings and the Blackhawks scored in 5 different innings as there were a combined 17 hits, 11 walks, 3 hit batsmen, 6 errors, plus the teams committed several wild pitches and passed balls.
The Cougars took a 2-0 lead in the first when Goecker singled and scored on a wild pitch, and Woods walked and scored on an error.
Pollert led off the second with a walk, and Goecker followed with another walk. Woods grounded out with Pollert scoring on the play. Goecker stole home, and Marksberry was safe on an error and scored on a passed ball.
Marksberry walked in the fourth inning and scored on a hit by Mau.
Marksberry pitched the seventh inning and recorded 2 strike outs to get the save.
Goecker was on base 4 times with 2 doubles and 2 walks and scored 3 runs. Marksberry drew 2 walks and was safe on an error and scored 3 runs, Mau had 2 singles and a double and 3 RBIs, Bell had 2 hits and 1 RBI, and Woods was on base 3 times and scored 2 runs.
None of the top 5 batters in the order struck out, but the bottom 4 positions combined for 7 strikeouts.
“We’ve got to get more consistent at bat,” Kleber said. “We give away too many pitches. We looked at a lot of fastballs so I’d like to see us be more aggressive at the plate.
“We’re going to keep working at it. This was just a good comeback for us and it shows that we can do it, and we got a lot of hits to do it. They didn’t help us, we got hits and I like to see that. I’m happy the way we came back and played there at the end.”
The Cougars have a busy week ahead with four games, beginning today at Christian Academy.
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Springs Valley;031;212;0;-9;8;3
Trinity Lutheran;230;105;x;-11;0;3
Trinity hits: Jake Mau 3, Tyler Goecker 2, Andrew Bell 2, Lawson Woods, Kowan Gross; 2B: Goecker 2, Mau, runs: Goecker 3, Jack Marksberry 3, Woods 2, Mau, Bell, Peyton Pollert; RBI: Mau 3, Woods, 2, Bell, Gross
Trinity pitching: Woods 4 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 5 K, 5 W; Pollert 2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 K, 1 W; Marksberry 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K, 0 W
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