Published: September 19, 2008 02:56 am         

Cardinals unable to complete comeback against Noble

By PAUL T. WILCOXEN

paul.wilcoxen@register-news.com

WOODLAWN — Woodlawn coach Lance Boldt watched his team from the dugout put itself behind the eight ball through the first two innings after falling behind 6-0 to Noble Thursday afternoon in high school fall baseball action.

But after coming back to tie the game not once, but twice, Noble managed to finally hold off the Cardinals for an 11-8 win and improve to 5-2 in the Midland Trail Conference.

The loss drops Woodlawn to 5-4 overall and 5-2 in conference play.

"We were very flat the first two innings defensively and I think part of that was just because there were a lot of walks," said Boldt. "There were seven walks in the first two innings

"There's a lot that happens when a pitcher walks people. Not only is he putting the other team's players on the bases, but we end up flat on our heels. We committed three errors in the first two innings and I think that was part of the reason."

The only other loss to Woodlawn in the conference was from South Central at the beginning of the year. South Central is currently the only team in the MTC currently undefeated.

Woodlawn is currently sitting as the No. 3 seed in the Midland Trail Conference tournament, but with three conference games set for next week, Boldt knows there's still some maneuvering that can be done.

"There's [still] so much to be determined," said Boldt as his team winds down the season. "We could finish 5-5 or we could finished 8-2. There's a big difference there."

Bronson Verhines started for Woodlawn, but it was John Hollingsworth who suffered the loss after the Cards tied the game with a six run fourth and again at 8-8 after a two-run fifth.

Hollingsworth was 2 for 3 with a run scored and two runs batted in. Kyle Boldt was 2 for 4 with an RBI. Jace Green was 1 for 3 and Dustin Williams was also 1 for 3, but scored a run.

"Being down 6-0 early put us in a big hole," said Boldt. "We had battled back and tied the game, but we exerted a lot of energy. We came back in the fifth inning and tied the game, 8-to-8. Then we fell behind again in the sixth and the comeback just wasn't there."

Jeremy Aparicio was 2 for 3 with two runs scored. Jordan Wehrheim was 2 for 4 with three RBI and two runs scored, while Aaron Peterson was 1 for 4 with a run scored.

"We were rallying the whole game," said Boldt. "When you keep putting yourself in a hole it's harder and harder to make that comeback."

The Cardinals will play a non-conference game at Patoka today before three Midland Trail Conference showdowns next week.

"I'd rather be out there practicing then playing," said Boldt. "I want the kids to see live pitching in game situations and hopefully that will prepare us for next week.

"Patoka is a good team. They might be one of the better teams we'll see all year. We'll have to be up for it. I look at it as more preparing us for the conference next week."

     

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