Zephyrs, Tigers Split

By JEFF FIELDER, Star-Herald Sports Editor

Published: Tuesday, June 30, 2009 12:10 AM CDT

By JEFF FIELDER Star-Herald Sports Editor

The WESTCO Zephyrs and Torrington Tigers senior legion baseball teams split a pair of games Sunday evening at Cleveland Field in Scottsbluff.

The Zephyrs tallied a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to claim the first game 10-9, and then Torrington bounced back with a 9-4 victory in the second contest.

WESTCO enjoyed one of its best-hitting games of the season to hold off Torrington in the first game of their doubleheader. The Zephyrs pounded out 14 hits, including the game-winner by Joe Huck in the bottom of the seventh inning. Huck’s groundball single down the left-field line scored Michael Hoppes from third base. Hoppes had gotten on base via a walk, and move ahead on Zac Rada’s single. Tyler Patrick then walked to load the bases with two outs.

“Joe had a really good day for us,” Zephyrs coach Mark Moran said. “It was good to see Joe get a couple big hits for us.”

WESTCO’s score in the seventh came after Torrington had pushed four runners across home plate in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game.

“At that point, they had all the momentum,” Moran said. “It was just one of those deals where we were lucky that we were the home team and got to hit the last time up.”

The first game was a see-saw battle most of the way. After Torrington jumped ahead 2-0 in the top of the first inning, the Zephyrs went ahead after tallying one run in the first and three more in the second inning. Jackson Pahlke had one of the biggest hits in the game in the second inning, as his triple off the outfield fence with two outs knocked in Patrick and Trevor Papczun.

Torrington then re-took the lead, 5-4, by scoring three runs in the third inning. WESTCO went back in front in the fifth inning, scoring two runs. WESTCO then stretched its lead to 9-5 with three more runs in the sixth.

Torrington, however, didn’t let up, igniting for four runs in the top of the seventh to even the score.

“After blowing that four-run lead, our guys showed some heart and did a good job of winning the game in the bottom of the seventh,” Moran said.

Although Torrington came up on the short end. Moran lauded the Tigers’ effort, too. Torrington ended the first game with 12 hits, including a home run by Dylan Davis.

“I think Torrington has a good team,” Moran said. “They just keep coming after you. They never quit.”

Torrington gained redemption in the second game, using a four-run first inning to pull away for the victory. WESTCO did cut the deficit to 4-2 in the bottom of the first inning, but Torrington tallied one run in the third inning, two in the fourth, and one in the fifth to keep control.

“In the second game we had a lot of chances; we just couldn’t get the big two-out hit,” Moran said. “We left a lot of guys on base.”

The doubleheader split moved the Zephyrs’ season record to 13-16. WESTCO entered the contest riding a seven game winning streak, and they’ve now won eight of their last nine. Moran said his team’s improved hitting has helped the Zephyrs get on a roll.

“I think the biggest key is that we’ve hit the ball better,” Moran said. “Our pitching has been pretty solid all year and defensively we’ve been pretty good all year. But I think the big difference is that we’ve hit the ball a whole bunch better the last couple of weeks.”

WESTCO will be back in action tonight against Sidney, which handed the Zephyrs a 3-1 setback June 17 in the team’s only other meeting this year. The WESTCO and Sidney juniors will play at 5 p.m., and the seniors’ contest will follow. Chase Wickard (4-3) will start on the mound for WESTCO. The Zephyrs were originally scheduled to play host to Omaha Westside as well today, but that game has been canceled because of a scheduling conflict.

Tonight is Fan Appreciation Night at Cleveland Field. Fans will be treated to free hamburgers and hot dogs with paid admission from 5-8 p.m.

“Sidney has a good team,” Moran said. “We’re going to have to play well to beat them. Hopefully, our guys are ready to go.”

After today, the Zephyrs will compete in the Laramie Firecracker Tournament beginning Thursday at Laramie, Wyo. WESTCO will play twice Thursday – against Loveland at 2 p.m. and Laramie at 5 p.m. – and the Zephyrs will face the Colorado Bandits on Friday at 2 p.m. WESTCO will be off Saturday, before playing in the final day of the Laramie Tournament on Sunday. Other tournament teams include Torrington, Wheatland, Mountain View, and Centennial.

Torrington will battle Wheatland on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. On Saturday the Tigers will play Centennial at 11:30 a.m. and Mountain View at 2 p.m.