Stellar defense in seventh inning prevents Boone Grove rally

Updated: April 13, 2011 3:34PM

Busting out of a .500 record is a momentous feat. But from the Portage baseball team, which achieved that on Monday night, you won't hear a single player taking sole credit.

There easily could've been a top performance.

First you have the play of the game. So improbable, that even coach Tim Pirowski looked taken by surprise.

The hosts were leading 3-0 over visiting Boone Grove in the top half of the seventh inning. Then, with one out, the Wolves' Stefan Hess (2-for-3) and Dean Hill reached on a single and walk respectively. This set the stage for No. 7 hitter, Zach Cobb, to be the go-ahead run.

On a 3-2 count, Cobb flared a line drive toward the second baseman. Seeing the action, completely out of range, shortstop Allen Barrett dove to snag out number two. The third out was an easy flyball leading to the 3-0 final.

"That play was huge because if he didn't make it, who knows what happens," Pirowski said.

And while that stop saved the scoreboard, the senior had another incentive for throwing his body into the play.

"Kris (Springman) had pitched a great game, all day, and I really wanted to give the extra effort to back him up," Barrett said.

One look at the stats affirms that critque. Springman hurled a complete shutout on three hits, six strikeouts and a lone walk. All of that coming in the No. 4 starter's first start of the young season.

And while Springman was feeling it on the hill, he too had praise.

"It started off at the beginning, warming-up, I knew I was going to have a good game," the junior said. "I've got to put a word in for my catcher, (Jeremy) Sinkus, he called a great game."

Whoever the catalyst may be, Portage is now 4-3 in 2011. The Indians grabbed their second straight win and ended Boone's (4-1) three-game streak. All of this coming before Duneland Conference play starts this week.

The outing began out as a pitcher's duel with Springman immersed in battle with Boone's Zach Wein (2 IP, 1 hit, 4 K's, 0 runs, 2 walks). Wein quickly exited the game, though, as he felt pain in his throwing shoulder in the bottom of the third. From there, the Indians took advantage of two defensive errors and a single off of reliever A.J. Mosier, scoring all three runs in the frame.

Wolves' coach Rollie Thill chalks the loss up as a learning experience for his underclassmen-laden 2A team.

"Theoretically, we should still be playing. I don't think we're experienced (enough) to overcome unearned runs," he said. "That's why we play the big schools. You don't get better, playing the schools you should beat."

Wein, Mosier (three innings pitched) and Cobb (one inning) combined for 10 strikeouts and allowed three hits.

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