Milan
Indians, Sectional #44 Runners-up, end their '09 season at
.500
Gary Franklin, Sports Writer
Entering IHSAA Class 2A Baseball Sectional #44 action
hosted by Lawrenceburg HS on Thursday evening, May 28, the
Indians knew they would open against the Hauser Jets.
With weather detering their regular season scheduled game
with Hauser, Coach Jeff Greiwe and his tribe knew little about
the opponent, but they did know that their play had picked
up near the end of regular season and that peeking at sectional
time was a positive way to enter extended season play.
The Indian Opener
An evening that threatened thunderstorms and showers became
just that. As the game progressed through the innings, the
tribe found themselves tied at 2-2 by the end of the fourth
inning. They also found breaks between playing due to lightning
flashes that sent the teams off the field numerous times.
Each time, another flash and the clock would restart when
they were allowed to resume.
By the top of the seventh, Milan had gained the upper hand
with a 3-2 lead, but in the bottom half of the inning with
just one out recorded on the Jets, they were sent to the dugouts
due to lightning flashes again.
Just two outs before a victory for the Indians and they did
not want to have to come back early Saturday morning to finish
the game. Nor did Hauser want to drive the distance for two
outs either.
The flashes, emptying the ballfield before play resumed, became
a down pour. Approximately an hour passed and Lawrenceburg
Athletic Director Glen Crocker sent his grounds crew onto
the field to prepare for the game to play to conclusion. (The
South Ripley Raiders and the Switzerland County Pacers were
to play in game two on Thursday, but were told a little earlier
that they would not play until Saturday morning).
As the skies lightened up and the field was deemed ready for
play, the Indians slammed the door on the Jets to claim the
3-2 victory and the right to advance to round two.
Indians vs Southwestern Hanover Rebels
The tribe carried the momentum of their opening game victory
into their game against the SwH Rebels, cutting them down
by a final score of 13-2 to earn a spot in the championship
game.
Indians vs hosting Lawrenceburg Tigers
Continuing with their winning ways, the Indians held steady
in the championship game against the sectional hosting Tigers,
until the bottom of the sixth inning when the Tigers put together
a four run rally to gain the lead and take control. Lawrenceburg
claimed the Sectional #44 Championship Title by the final
score of 6-4 as the Indians were unable to score in the top
of the seventh.
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GARY FRANKLIN PHOTOS
Milan Indian pitcher Derek Walker sends a strike past
the Jet batter as Indian catcher Nick Lohrum sets up
to collect it.
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