MADISON —Trinity Lutheran’s baseball team bounced back from a shaky first-round performance with a 12-0 win over Henryville in the semifinal round of the Class 1A Madison Shawe Sectional on Saturday.
In control from the start, the Cougars (14-11) sealed the win by scoring six runs in the fourth inning. Saturday’s result was a relief after the team struggled to put away one-win Rising Sun in the sectional opener. In that game, Trinity built what appeared to be a commanding lead, but was forced to hang on in a 9-7 victory.
Trinity now moves on to Monday’s championship game to take on host Shawe Memorial, a 12-3 winner over New Washington in Saturday’s other semifinal.
“We kind of went through the motions a little bit (against Rising Sun),” Trinity head coach Ben Kleber said. “We got up eight, and then let off the gas. I was proud of them coming out tonight and really taking care of business from the start.”
After a scoreless first inning, Chase Bode drove home what turned out to be the game-winning run in the second frame with a deep sacrifice fly to centerfield that scored Peyton Pollert.
That run was all starting pitcher Kowan Gross needed. The senior righthander threw four and two-thirds shutout innings, scattering four hits, walking two and striking out five.
“Kowan threw a good game,” Kleber said. “That’s what you want out of a senior. We had to use a couple more arms than we wanted to (against Rising Sun), so for him to come out and give us almost a complete game was great.”
One out away from completing the game, Kleber relieved Gross with freshman righthander Bode Brooks to keep Gross eligible to throw in Monday’s championship game if necessary. Brooks threw a single pitch before picking off Henryville’s Tyler Cissell at first base to end the game.
The Cougars pounded out eight hits, five of which came from the first two hitters in their lineup. Leadoff hitter Jackson Trueblood had two hits, scored two runs and knocked in two more.
Nathan Finke, the second hitter in the lineup, added three hits and three RBI. Gross contributed a hit and two runs batted in. Drake Goodpastor and Levi Pottschmidt each added a hit.
Most of Trinity’s offensive production on Saturday came against Henryville pitcher Jack Bridges, who during the regular season fanned 11 Cougar hitters in a 5-3 Hornet win.
“I think (Bridges) had a no hitter until the sixth in that game,” Kleber said. “To come in locked in today and attack his fastballs, that’s what we were looking to do. If we keep that energy and that approach, we’ll be all right (on Monday).”
Bridges was thrown out of Saturday’s game in the fourth inning after expressing his displeasure to a field umpire, leaving Henryville with just eight men the remainder of the contest. The Hornets had only nine players available on Saturday.
Brody White was brought in to pitch for Henryville following Bridges’ departure and the Hornets played with just two outfielders thereafter.
Trinity now turns its attention to Monday’s title game with Shawe (11-13). The two teams met during the regular season with the Cougars coming out on top, 13-3.
Trinity opened the season with eight losses in its first nine games but has won 13 of its last 15 games.
“I know guys were down at the beginning of the year,” Kleber said. “We played a big schedule to get ready for this. I think they realized that halfway through the year. Now, we’re peaking at the right time. We’re playing good baseball. I’m excited for the boys.”
Shawe Memorial Sectional — Semifinal
Trinity Lutheran (14-11) vs. Henryville (3-16)
Trinity Lutheran;12
Henryville; 0
Trinity hitting: Hits- Nathan Finke 3, Jackson Trueblood 2, Drake Goodpastor, Kowan Gross, Levi Pottschmidt. 2B- Finke, Goodpastor, Gross. RBI- Finke 3, Trueblood 2, Gross 2, Goodpastor, Bode Brooks, Chase Bode.
Trinity pitching: Gross 4.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 5 K, 2 BB. Brooks .1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 K, 0 BB.