Friday, June 01, 2001
Hamilton loses baseball semifinal
Coffman hustles to 6-5 victory
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Hamilton pitcher Nate Stewart walks off the field as Coffman celebrates.
(Steven M. Herppich photos)
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COLUMBUS — When two evenly matched baseball teams play, the outcome is often determined by which club takes advantage of its opportunities. Such was the case Thursday at Cooper Stadium where Dublin Coffman used a walk, an error and a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning to defeat Hamilton 6-5 in the Division I state semifinals.
Coffman advances to Saturday's state championshipagainst surprising Maumee, a 9-5 winner over Youngstown Boardman in the other semifinal game.
“We had the opportunity in the eighth inning when our leadoff batter got on,” Hamilton coach Dan Bowling said. “But we didn't get the bunt down, and their catcher (Bart Hunton) made a Johnny Bench-type defensive play.”
Todd Richardson singled to start the eighth. Cody Worrell followed with a bunt that Coffman relief pitcher Brock Hunton fielded and threw to shortstop Nick Bly for the force at second.
Hamilton's Dustin Pearson tags out Coffman's Nick Bly out in the second inning.
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Bly's throw to first was high over a leaping Jay Eastway, but a hustling Bart Hunton, backing up the play, caught the ball that would have gone into the grandstand. That held Hamilton's Worrell to first base.
“Bart is our leading hitter and has signed with Clemson,” Coffman coach Tim Saunders said. “He's made plays like that all season.”
Nate Stewart, pitching in relief of starter Steve Polen, walked Matt Guerriero to open the eighth. Bly followed with a sacrifice bunt, advancing pinch runner Brandon Williams to second.
Hamilton 2B Tom Begley is upended by Bart Hunton.
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Worrell couldn't handle a ground ball by Brad Krause at shortstop, allowing Williams to take third. Taylor Mobley followed with a fly ball to short center field, but Patrik Joos' throw to home was off the mark.
“I didn't get the crow's hop on the bounce,” Joos said. “If I had a little more room, I may have gotten him.”
Saunders didn't hesitate sending Williams.
“My goal is always to make the outfielder make the mistake,” Saunders said. “Early in the game, their right fielder (Adam Gedling) threw a strike and got our guy at the plate. This time the throw was off.”
Mobley, the Shamrocks' ninth batter who hit .272, had only one thing in mind.
“I faked the bunt on the first pitch, but I had no intention of putting it down,” Mobley said. “All I wanted to do was hit the ball out of the infield. I got a fastball and made good contact.”
Both teams led twice before the Shamrocks won it in the eighth.
Hamilton took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on Nate Mahon's single, then led 3-2 in the fourth. Mahon, Matt Trester, Matt Wagers and Worrell came through with the key hits.
Four of Coffman's six runs were generated by the bottom four batters — Guerriero, Bly, Krause and Mobley — who either drew walks, were hit by a pitch or came through with a hit.
Right after the game, Bowling left Columbus to attend the visitation of his father, Walter, who died Saturday and will be buried today.
“We wanted to win it for Coach Bowling and his father,” said Mahon, a sophomore who was 3-for-4. “We have a lot coming back, and maybe we'll do it next year.”
Hamilton finished with a 26-8 record.
Hamilton ....... 100 202 00—5 11 2
Dublin Coffman ....... 110 120 01—6 10 0
WP—Brock Hunton. LP—Stewart. Hitting Leaders: H—N. Mahon 3-4, 2 2B, RBI; Wagers 2-4; Richardson 2-4, 2 RBI; Worrell 1-3, RBI; Trester 1-2. DC—Thomas 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI; Bart Hunton 3-4, 2B, 3B, RBI; Bly 3-3, RBI. Records: H 26-8, C 25-7. Time: 2:40. Attendance: 900.
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