Andrean tops KV, continues NCC dominance

Updated: May 6, 2011 11:06PM

MERRILLVILLE — Any conference victory is nice. And thanks to this excessively wet spring, with multiple postponements, the Andrean baseball team has had plenty of opportunities in the Northwest Crossroads race.

In fact, following a 13-5 win over Kankakee Valley on Friday, the 59ers have won five straight NCC games this week. While Dave Pishkur has coached the team for 32 years, this scenario marks a first.

“I’ve never played five conference games in one week and thrown five different pitchers and won all five games,” Pishkur said.

The wins didn’t necessarily get easier, either. On Thursday Hobart challenged with a home run, before Andrean produced 10 runs in a single inning to win.

Then the 59ers (13-3, 8-1) spotted two first inning runs to the Kougars, and allowed their opponent more hits (KV out hit them 12-10), before capitalizing.

Pishkur has a simple answer for success, though.

“We’ve got nine kids in the lineup that can do the job offensively,” he said.

That job was required immediately. With two outs in the top of the first Zac DeFries (3-for-3) singled, Dylan Patrick doubled, and both scored on a pair of passed balls. After Zac Ryan’s RBI single in the bottom half of the inning, the 59ers were still down 2-1.

It was the second pitching start for Andrean’s lead-off hitter, and regular center fielder, Cody Haver. Haver had a no decision in his first outing. Just like any hurler that also swings a stick, the junior lives for chances to help his cause. Namely the bottom of the second inning.

Following a single and a pair of walks by KV’s starter Chris Rusk, the bases were juiced for Haver’s second at-bat. He took full advantage with a grand slam over the right field fence.

“It was a big relief off my shoulders to get some runs up and I loved it,” said Haver who went the distance with five strikeouts and five free passes over the course of seven innings.

Added Ryan, who finished 2-for-4, with a double and 4 RBI: “I’m always trying to set RBIs when I need to.”

After freshman DH Matt DeSomer (2-for-3, 3 RBI) knocked in a pair with a two-out single in the very next inning, Andrean drove away. 

The Kougars (12-6, 3-6) have been on the losing end of the NCC all week, dropping four straight (including being no-hit on Tuesday by Highland‘s Jordan Minch). 

“We just hit a little snag this week, it’s called the Northwest Crossroads Conference is tough,” said coach Doug Greenlee.

Before the 59ers struck in the third inning, reliever Tyler Simmons quickly fanned the first two batters. But a throwing error on the third baseman allowed the deciding run to come aboard.

“I thought that was a big play, it was a momentum shifter,” Greenlee said. “Andrean takes advantage of every mistake you make.”

The 59ers continue play today with a non-conference double-header at Reavis (Ill.) High School.

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