Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Post 17 had to play without T.J. Garska for the season's opening two weeks. They found out Tuesday night it was well worth the wait.
Thanks to a stellar pitching performance by Garska and strong hitting from Bradey Holtz and Scott Phillips, Sidney turned back Hershey Post 279 in Sutherland 8-1.
The juniors were less fortunate as Hershland won in walk-off fashion, 5-4.
Though used primarily in a closer's roll at Spring Hill High School in Longview, Texas, Garska was given the ball on this night in the first inning.
Garska proved to be in mid-season form. Indeed, he was so efficient through six innings that he pitched to just two batters over the minimum. By throwing strikes and staying ahead of hitters Garska yielded just two hits, two walks and struck out 10.
"It doesn't really matter how hard you throw as long as you throw strikes," said Garska.
Garska encountered his only bout with adversity in the final frame when he gave up a leadoff walk on four pitches. A double followed and then another walk loaded the bases. After a steal of home, Garska called Coach Jake Wilson out to the mound.
"I needed to settle down and keep a cool head there so I called out the coach," said Garska. "That little break is what I needed to get back into it."
After the meeting at the mound, Garska was back throwing strikes. He fanned the next two batters and induced Jacob Wier into a lazy fly ball to Arik Doty at short to end the game.
His complete game win, however, was also a team effort. He was buoyed throughout the night by outstanding defense.
Offensively, Sidney took the lead in the first and never looked back. Leadoff hitter Holtz reached base four times with a pair of walks, two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored. He also made a nice play at third base in the fourth, stopping a hard smash down the line. The ball was ripped hard enough that he had plenty of time to throw out the runner.
Hitting out of the four slot, Phillips reached safely three times including a pair of singles, a walk and two stolen bases. He also scored twice.
Sidney scored all the runs it needed before Hershey took its first turn at bat. The onslaught started when Holtz was hit in the arm by the first pitch of the game. Two batters later, Garska was plunked. After a hard out by Phillips and a walk by Keaton Wakefield loaded the bases, Kyle Burton singled in a run while another crossed on a throw.
Phillips scored Sidney's third run after opening the third inning with a single to right. He advanced to third on a passed ball and a wild pitch. Jason Hagerman singled him home from third.
Post 17 made it 4-0 when Alex Maestas scored from third on a Holtz double to center.
Maestas, found his way to third after an alert call by Sidney Coach Tommy Arellano. With Maestas at second base, Arellano called Maestas over for a conversation at third, knowing time had not been called.
When Maestas arrived at third Arrellano immediately asked of Holtz and the home-plate umpire, "Did you call time out?"
When the answer came back negative, Maestas was awarded third.
As for Holtz, who leads the team in doubles, he's been hitting the ball well of late from the leadoff spot.
"It's better than it has been," said Holtz. "It's really just a matter of getting used to the pitching and being able to adjust to different speeds."
Sidney scored three times in the sixth inning to all but put the game away. Phillips was the catalyst as he began the rally with a one-out walk. He then stole second and third and scored on a wild pitch.
Phillips leads the team in hitting with a .333 batting average.
"I was trying to have fun tonight," said Phillips. "Hitting was my main focus coming into this season and I'm pretty happy with the way it's going so far."
Wakefield also scored on a wild pitch after he reached on a single to left. Hagerman scored the final run of the inning after reaching base on a strikeout. One more wild one from the Hershey pitcher allowed Hagerman to cross home.
Sidney added a run for good measure in the final stanza. Holtz opened the seventh with a hustle double. He then stole third and scored on a wild pitch.
Sidney earned the win despite the absence of two starters Skyler Arent and Colton Onstott. Onstott is at a Baseball Factory event in Florida and Arent is in Lincoln for an educational experience with the state legislature.
Sidney gets the benefit of home cooking when it takes on Buckley (Chappell) at Legion Field. The juniors get the doubleheader started at 5 p.m with the seniors to follow.
Linescore
Sidney 201 103 1 - 8
Hershey 000 000 1 - 1
Doubles
Sidney: Bradey Holtz 2
Hershey: Justin Weir
RBI
Sidney: Bradey Holtz, Kyle Burton, Jason Hagerman
Hershey: None
Runs Scored
Sidney: Bradey Holtz 2, T.J. Garska, Scott Phillips 2, Keaton Wakefield, Jason Hagerman, Alex Maestas.
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