Rich Central picks up 20th win

Updated: May 19, 2011 8:10PM

It’s been 22 years since Rich Central won a conference baseball championship and 20 games in a season.

The Olympians claimed the Southland Conference title Wednesday, then Thursday reached the 20-win plateau by defeating Rich East 6-3 in Olympia Fields.

“It’s a testament to the coaching staff and the work the kids have put in all year,” Rich Central coach Corey Stallings said. “It’s a big thing for this program to have won conference and now 20 games. We have another goal we still want to achieve.”

That goal is a playoff run that extends beyond last season’s journey to the Class 3A regional final, where the Olympians were tripped by Richards.

“Usually, my goal would be to advance further than last year,” Stallings said. “But with this group, the sky is the limit.”

Having a healthy Tyler House certainly would enhance Rich Central’s ability to experience an extended playoff run. The 6-foot-3 Missouri-bound left-handed pitcher/first baseman strained his groin Tuesday and was in street clothes Thursday. The Olympians (20-5, 13-2) are hoping to have him back for Wednesday’s playoff opener against Kankakee.

“He’s getting treatment three times a day,” Stallings said. “He’s coming along.”

If Garrett Spivey can continue to pitch like he did against Rich East, House will not have to rush back.

Spivey (5-0) allowed just three hits, walked three and struck out nine in a 93-pitch performance.

After spotting Rich East (11-9, 10-5) a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, Spivey, a Kentucky State recruit, retired the side in order in five of the next six innings.

“For me, I always have to focus every pitch,” Spivey said. “I can’t stray. I gave up those two runs and I just started going right at them.”

A two-run single by Evan Jenkins (2-for-3) gave East the early lead.

Central countered with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Nick Collins drove in one run with a double and later scored on an East error.

The game was tied at 3 heading into the sixth. That’s when Central erupted for three runs.

Jordan Smith walked to start the frame, stole second and advanced to third on a balk. Spivey then hit a ground ball that was too hot to handle, allowing Smith to score for a 4-3 lead.

Spivey later scored on a wild pitch to increase the lead to 5-3. Brandon Fowler’s sacrifice fly scored Jayme Taylor, who had singled, with the final run.

Rich East pitcher Erik Otterson deserved a better fate. The senior righty allowed just two hits over six innings and struck out eight. He also walked eight, three of which came around to score.

“Erik was off his game,” Rich East coach Brad Wieher said. “He was fighting himself. Jenkins has been hitting all year for us. We expected to win this game.”

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