Sixth-seeded Wahlert Catholic out-hit the third-seeded Harlan Cyclones, but Brett Croghan stranded 8 Wahlert runners as he hurled a complete-game, 4-0 shutout in Class 3A quarterfinal play at Southeast Polk High School on Wednesday.
The game was played Southeast Polk as a result of rain that postponed three Class 3A games from Tuesday, July 28 to Wednesday.
Croghan (5-1) struck out three and only hit one batter in his 7.0 innings of work. Despite allowing at least one hit in five of his seven innings, the right-hander buckled down with runners on base, not allowing a runner to reach third base until the seventh inning.
Behind the Harlan starter were two quick runs from the Cyclones in the bottom of the first inning. Dillon Sears reached on a leadoff walk before back-to-back singles loaded the bases. Croghan then drove in Sears on an RBI fielder’s choice. Harlan utilized a successful double-steal with runners on first and third base, bringing in Kyle Juhl as Harlan went ahead 2-0 after one.
The Cyclones went up 4-0 in the fourth inning on an RBI double by Nick Foss and a Jared Moser RBI single.
Croghan then retired nine of the last 11 batters he’d face, including a perfect fifth and sixth inning, to secure the win.
Wahlert starter Austin Savary was tagged with the complete-game loss, allowing four earned runs on 7 hits and two walks while striking out three.
Foss notched a team-high two hits off the left-hander, going 2-for-3 with a double, single, run and RBI.
Bo Burgmeier and Isaac Evans each had two of Wahlert’s eight hits, although no Golden Eagle player recorded an extra-base knock.
The Cyclones (27-7) advance to meet the second-seeded Pella Little Dutch (34-4) in the semifinals on Friday, July 31 at 1:30 p.m. at Principal Park.
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
RSS