Rivet edges defending Class A state champs

Shakamak head coach Matt Fougerousse gives short stop Tyler Richardson a pep talk after pulling him from the mound in the bottom of the sixth inning, after he gave up a home run. (Photo by Andy Barnard). [Order this photo]

The two schools squared off again Saturday in a Class A baseball semi-state match-up at Avon High School. Unfortunately for the Lakers, they came out on the losing end of that meeting, falling 8-7 to the Patriots.

Going into the bottom of the sixth inning the Lakers had a commanding 7-4 lead, with their ace T.J.Hill on the mound. Everything was looking good for the Lakers, who won its first state championship behind the record strikeout performance of Hill in the title game last year against Cowan.

Unfortunately for Shakamak, the Patriots had six more outs and lots of heart.

After giving up four runs in the first, the Lakers had battled back. After Hill hit Vincennes Rivet's Matt Sievers with a pitch, coach Matt Fougerousse went to his second pitcher, Tyler Richardson. With one pitch and one swing of the bat, Philip Hartler of Vincennes Rivet changed the outcome of the game with a two-run home run, bringing them with in one. After getting the next out and walking the next batter, Fougerousse went back to Hill to try to close out the game.

"T.J. was tired, that's why we went to Richardson," Fougerousse said of Hill. "We had Tyler loose and ready to go every inning. You have to give them credit they came out and hit the ball.

"Our boys really battled," Fougerousse continued. "We beat them in every facet of the game besides the final score. We have been fortunate lately to get to state. It was pretty much their time."

Returning to the mound in the bottom of the seventh, Hill got out of the jam, giving his team a chance going into the top of the seventh.

But the Lakers came up empty.

In the bottom of the seventh, Hill gave up a home run to Tyler Vieke, starting the game-winning rally and tying the game at 7-all.

After third baseman Billy Newton committed an error on a throw to first, the Patriots had the winning run on base, with Halter up to bat again.

A single off of his bat drove in the winning run from second base for the Patriots, who have just 11 players on the roster.

"That's baseball, it happens," said Fougerousse. "Congrats to them."

Going into the bottom of the seventh Vincennes Rivet coach Bill Beard said his team seemed relaxed.

"It seemed like they felt more pressure than we did," said Beard. "They made a mistake or two which gave us the game. They have a good baseball tradition though; we've got to take out hats off to them."

Vincennes Rivet will move on to Victory Field next Friday night to face Lafayette Central Catholic.

Leading the way for the Lakers was Richardson, going 3-for-4 with two singles and a double. Scott McNabb was 2-for-3 with a single and a double, and Newton had a single and double as well.

Hill finished the game with eight strikeouts, three walks, one hit batter and giving up six runs. The Lakers finished the year with a 16-9 record.

Fougerousse is looking ahead to next year, when they will have the majority of his team back (losing two seniors) for next year.

"These kids battled all year, losing key members from last year's championship team," said Fougerousse. "They played hard all year. We have a good mix coming back."

Shakamak 303 010 0 - 7 10 2

Vincennes Rivet 400 002 2 - 8 8 4

T.J. Hill, Tyler Richardson (5), Hill (5) and John Smith. Spencer Wirth, Brady Mouzin (5) and Philip Halter. W-Mouzin (6-2). L-Hill. 2B-S, Billy Newton, Jarred VanHorn, Tyler Richardson; R, Mitchell Bahr, Spencer Wirth. 3B-R, Mouzin. HR-R, Halter (2), Tyler Vieke (1).