Experience gained in playoff loss for Junior Hellcats
NORWICH – The playoffs for the District 6 Junior Legion playoffs proved to be a somewhat of a rude awakening for the Junior Hellcats, who fell back to earth with a 7-2 loss on Saturday to Maine-Endwell.
“It was rough game. Overall, we didn’t play terrible. They just played better. We didn’t execute pitches when we needed to, we didn’t execute consecutive at bats to really get anything going,” said Junior Hellcat head coach Nick McCullough.
The Junior Hellcats battled – however, a big setback in the outcome came in the early innings when a 0-0 first inning turned into a quick 4-0 lead for Maine-Endwell after the top of the second.
“We went with Nick (Shoemaker) on the mound to start. He didn’t pitch bad. We had a rough inning in the second, they put together good AB’s. But he settled down really well and got in a pretty nice groove. Kept us in the game, and that’s all you can ask for. Too bad we couldn’t get him a lead,” said coach McCullough.
The Junior Hellcats managed to connect with the ball for six hits as a team, a fair mark but nothing to be amazed at in the loss. Leading the way at the plate was Mike Trevisani and Tyler Hagen. Hagen finished 2-3 with a run, while Trevisani went 2-3. Marcus Cashman, and Shoemaker each added a hit a piece in their efforts.
Shoemaker was credited with the loss, pitching five innings for three strikeouts and five walks, allowing five hits for six runs – four being earned. Justin Bates came in for the final two innings, pitching five strikeouts and no walks, but allowing four additional hits.
“We went to the bullpen with Justin (Bates). He pitched really well, bases loaded and no outs, striking out the side without allowing any runs. Pretty impressive.”
After getting blanked to the tune of a 6-0 lead for Maine-Endwell, the Junior Hellcats finally managed to string some positive plays together in the bottom of the sixth – allowing for a two-run inning.
“We got in a groove in the bottom of the sixth, it was our first signs of life offensively. We got guys on base, and was able to scratch some runs across. Inning ended with a great catch by their center fielder. That’s how our day went on offense. We didn’t strike out much, we put the ball in play, they made all the plays. Their (Maine-Endwell’s) defense played outstanding,” said coach McCullough.
Maine-Endwell – who have previously lost to the Junior Hellcats three times this season – squeaked in one final run to close out the seven inning game.
“Overall, it was disappointing, we’re lucky that it’s double elimination. We live to see another day. It’s the first time that some of these guys have been in playoff baseball. So it’s an eye opener to them,” said coach McCullough. “I think that they’ll be ready to go Monday vs. M-E again, for the fifth time. They know what to expect, and they know we control our destiny. I know they’re up for the challenge. Happy to have all these guys.”
Notably, Vestal defeated Maine-Endwell 6-1 on Sunday. Due to the playoff format for Junior Legion baseball, the Junior Hellcats get one final crack at playing Maine-Endwell, when they travel to Maine-Endwell on Monday at 6 p.m.
“Loser goes home, winner advances to play Vestal on Tuesday in Vestal,” said Coach McCullough of the game and its magnitude on the season.
ME: 0 4 0 1 0 1 1– 7 9 0
H: 0 0 0 0 0 2 0– 2 6 3
“It was rough game. Overall, we didn’t play terrible. They just played better. We didn’t execute pitches when we needed to, we didn’t execute consecutive at bats to really get anything going,” said Junior Hellcat head coach Nick McCullough.
The Junior Hellcats battled – however, a big setback in the outcome came in the early innings when a 0-0 first inning turned into a quick 4-0 lead for Maine-Endwell after the top of the second.
“We went with Nick (Shoemaker) on the mound to start. He didn’t pitch bad. We had a rough inning in the second, they put together good AB’s. But he settled down really well and got in a pretty nice groove. Kept us in the game, and that’s all you can ask for. Too bad we couldn’t get him a lead,” said coach McCullough.
The Junior Hellcats managed to connect with the ball for six hits as a team, a fair mark but nothing to be amazed at in the loss. Leading the way at the plate was Mike Trevisani and Tyler Hagen. Hagen finished 2-3 with a run, while Trevisani went 2-3. Marcus Cashman, and Shoemaker each added a hit a piece in their efforts.
Shoemaker was credited with the loss, pitching five innings for three strikeouts and five walks, allowing five hits for six runs – four being earned. Justin Bates came in for the final two innings, pitching five strikeouts and no walks, but allowing four additional hits.
“We went to the bullpen with Justin (Bates). He pitched really well, bases loaded and no outs, striking out the side without allowing any runs. Pretty impressive.”
After getting blanked to the tune of a 6-0 lead for Maine-Endwell, the Junior Hellcats finally managed to string some positive plays together in the bottom of the sixth – allowing for a two-run inning.
“We got in a groove in the bottom of the sixth, it was our first signs of life offensively. We got guys on base, and was able to scratch some runs across. Inning ended with a great catch by their center fielder. That’s how our day went on offense. We didn’t strike out much, we put the ball in play, they made all the plays. Their (Maine-Endwell’s) defense played outstanding,” said coach McCullough.
Maine-Endwell – who have previously lost to the Junior Hellcats three times this season – squeaked in one final run to close out the seven inning game.
“Overall, it was disappointing, we’re lucky that it’s double elimination. We live to see another day. It’s the first time that some of these guys have been in playoff baseball. So it’s an eye opener to them,” said coach McCullough. “I think that they’ll be ready to go Monday vs. M-E again, for the fifth time. They know what to expect, and they know we control our destiny. I know they’re up for the challenge. Happy to have all these guys.”
Notably, Vestal defeated Maine-Endwell 6-1 on Sunday. Due to the playoff format for Junior Legion baseball, the Junior Hellcats get one final crack at playing Maine-Endwell, when they travel to Maine-Endwell on Monday at 6 p.m.
“Loser goes home, winner advances to play Vestal on Tuesday in Vestal,” said Coach McCullough of the game and its magnitude on the season.
ME: 0 4 0 1 0 1 1– 7 9 0
H: 0 0 0 0 0 2 0– 2 6 3
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