Juniors begin to reach potential in wins over Hershland, Westco

Bats ringing loudly, Sidney's Post #17 Juniors have been coming into their own this week, demonstrating the potential Coach Ray Witt has known was there all along.

"We've been telling them they could play like this all year," Witt said following Sidney's 10-4 win over Scottsbluff's Westco. "Now things are coming around and they can see it."

Sidney overwhelmed Hershland 23-0 in three innings on the road Tuesday, with pitcher Logan Sircy posting a no-hitter.

Witt said one of the impressive aspects against Hershland was Sidney's fielding. Sircy had just one strikeout, but the Junior defense was nearly air-tight in backing Sircy up.

"We just pounded the ball," Witt said. "We were disciplined at the plate."

Witt said Sidney batters had seven walks from Hershland, and two runners got on after being hit by pitches.

Offensively, Sircy helped his own cause with a three-for-four performance at the plate, while Zack Means and Paul Kratzer each went two-for-three.

Following the Hershland game, Witt was doubly happy with Sidney's performance Wednesday.

"After having a game like that, then keeping up the intensity tonight, that's what they need to do," Witt said.

On Wednesday, Sidney's sixth inning showed what the team is capable of accomplishing all aspects of its game.

Sidney led 6-4 entering the sixth, and it appeared Westco might be on the way to a rally, when its first two batters singled. But Sidney put the next two batters down, taking the force out at third on a fielder's choice, the second on an infield fly to short.

A base-on-balls loaded the bases, but pitcher Brett Jaggers atoned for that by striking out the side.

In the bottom of the sixth, Sidney's put on one of its best offensive showings this season.

Sidney's leadoff hitter went down, but Sircy and Zach Holtz each singled. Brett Jaggers was hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Sidney's lanky cleanup man, Means.

Means got behind in the count 1-2, then fouled off three pitches before getting his second called ball.

The hard work paid off and Means smacked a two-run double into left center field to give Sidney a little extra breathing room.

Two batters later, with the bases loaded and two outs, Izzak Glanz added another two-run double, giving Sidney a 10-4 lead

In the seventh, Means strode to the pitcher's mound to close out the game. An error and a single put two runners on, but Means slammed the door shut on Westco's hopes with three straight strikeouts.

The Juniors host the Sidney Senior Tournament this weekend, with play set to begin Friday.