Crusaders use suicide squeeze to beat Hickman 3-2
The squeeze was on, suicide-style.
With the game tied at 2, the Helias Crusaders had runners at second and third with one out Wednesday against the Hickman Kewpies at the American Legion Post 5 Sports Complex.
Alex Werner laid down a perfect bunt and Parker Schnieders sprinted across the plate with the game-winning run as Helias defeated Hickman 3-2.
"Alex is one of our better bunters and Parker's got good speed," Helias coach Chris Wyrick said. "It's something we're going to have to do at times this season, especially when we're struggling offensively."
Werner got the bunt down on a pitch that was outside and at eye level. But the senior was able to dribble the ball out to the grass in front of the plate for the RBI.
"The pitcher did a good job of recognizing what we were doing and he threw it where he was supposed to throw it in that situation," Wyrick said. "That was a tough pitch to bunt, all the credit to Alex for getting it down."
It was a solid all-around game for Werner, who started at third base and made a handful of good defensive plays. Werner has also played second base, shortstop and right field this season.
"He's one of the guys that's tough to keep out of the lineup because he does so much," Wyrick said. "His versatility is a positive for this team."
Kale Gerstner got the win in relief in his first appearance of the season for the Crusaders. He worked the final two innings, retiring all six Hickman batters he faced.
"Kale was ready to go," Wyrick said. "I'm happy for him to be able to do that."
Gerstner, who was injured during the football season, was medically cleared to return to action Wednesday morning and immediately texted Wyrick he was ready to go.
"I figured he'd throw an inning, but we needed him for two and he didn't throw all that many pitches," Wyrick said. "It's great to have him back, he's such a positive influence on the team. He makes me feel a lot better when he's out there."
Gerstner had been throwing on the side for a few months, Wyrick said. Gerstner will be limited to pitching this season.
"He's been doing his work, getting ready," Wyrick said.
Tyler Cassmeyer pitched the first five innings for Helias, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three.
"If you can get that out of your starting pitcher, you're going to be in almost every game," Wyrick said.
Cassmeyer finished with a near 50/50 split between balls and strikes Wednesday.
"He gets guys to chase balls out of the zone and he gets them out," Wyrick said.
Helias needed its strong pitching performances after finishing with just four hits.
"We hit several balls hard, which is good," Wyrick said. "Unfortunately, a lot of them were right at people, so they really don't count."
Helias took the lead with a run in the second. With two outs, Landon Harrison drew a walk and Dylan Gaines was hit by a pitch. Werner followed with a bloop single to center to make it 1-0.
Hickman got that run back in its half of the third, then took a 2-1 lead with a run in the fifth.
The Crusaders tied it in the bottom of the fifth. With one out, Austin Fennewald singled. Courtesy runner Ryan Gartner then moved to second on a groundout before Nolan Sachse drew a walk.
The runners each moved up a base on a wild pitch with an 0-2 count to Alex Faddoul. Another wild pitch on the ensuing offering brought home Gartner with the tying tally.
Helias (4-3) and Hickman (8-4) will play Friday and Saturday in the North Division of the Capital City Invitational at Hickman.
"It's a tough weekend coming up," Wyrick said. "Hopefully this can springboard us to some good things."
III
On Monday, Wyrick picked up the 300th win of his coaching career as Helias defeated Camdenton 5-4 at Camdenton.
"It says I'm old," Wyrick said.
Wyrick is in his 18th season as a head coach, his 17th at Helias after one season at St. Elizabeth.
"I've had some great players and some great assistant coaches who have made my job easy," Wyrick said. "The kids and the other coaches deserve the credit for that."
Wyrick was honored Wednesday in a postgame ceremony for reaching the milestone.