Eugene baseball routs Silex 11-1 in Class 2 sectional

Players get ready for the Class 2 sectional game in Eugene on Monday, May 24, 2021, between the Eugene Eagles and Silex Owls.
Players get ready for the Class 2 sectional game in Eugene on Monday, May 24, 2021, between the Eugene Eagles and Silex Owls.

EUGENE, Mo. - It took a little time for the Eugene Eagles to get their offense going Monday.

But Eugene starting pitcher Adin Sommerer gave his teammates all the time they needed.

Sommerer allowed just two hits through the first five innings as a five-run third propelled the Eagles to an 11-1 win in six innings against the Silex Owls in a Class 2 sectional game.

"We didn't jump out as early as I would have liked, but it's nice to get the job done," first-year Eugene coach Landree Ousley said.

With the win, seventh-ranked Eugene (18-5) advances to take on Putnam County (18-2) in the quarterfinals Wednesday in Eugene. Game time has not been announced.

It was a pitcher's duel early Monday, with the teams combining for just one hit through the first 21/2 innings.

"It was nerves a little bit," Ousley said. "But it was tough making adjustments from facing guys in districts last week who were throwing in the 80s to know facing a guy throwing in the mid 60s."

Eugene broke through in the bottom of the third, scoring those five runs on just one hit.

With one out, Mason Kempker reached on an error before a walk to Garrett Hogard put runners at first and second. The Eagles duo moved up a base on a wild pitch and when the Owls catcher threw the ball into left field, Kempker scored and Hogard moved to third.

Trenton Parr then walked to put runners at the corners before Tyler Renn was walked intentionally to load the bases.

Sommerer, the cleanup hitter, then laid down a squeeze bunt to score Hogard to make it 2-0. Colby Renn was hit by a pitch to re-load the bases, then Drew Sommerer walked to plate Parr.

Cameron Koetting followed with a first-pitch single to left to score Tyler Renn and Colby Renn and it was 5-0.

"I felt pretty confident at that point," Ousley said.

The Eagles scored two runs in the fourth on two-out singles by Adin Sommerer and Colby Renn.

Eugene added another run in the fifth when Javan Steinhardt hit a one-out double before later scoring on a two-out error.

The first five Silex batters in the sixth reached base, but the Owls were only able to covert that into one run as the Eagles threw out a pair of runners on the bases.

Eugene then ended the game by run-rule, scoring three times in the bottom of the sixth. The game ended when a bases-loaded walk to Parr plated Steinhardt.

Eight Eagles scored at least once in the game. Eugene finished with just six hits, with Adin Sommerer leading the way with two. Eugene took advantage of nine Silex walks, to go along with four hit-batters and four errors.

"It wasn't our greatest performance," Ousley said. "We've got to bring it up a little bit if we want to get to where we want to go."

Sommerer went the distance, allowing six hits and no walks while striking out five.

"Adin's done a great job, he's pitched in a lot of big games for us recently," Ousley said. "He's thrown a lot of good innings, he's stepped up to be our No. 2.

"It's hard to pitch in big moments, it was great to see him get it done."

Tyler Renn, Eugene's No. 1 starter this season, figures to get the ball Wednesday against Putnam County, who defeated Harrsburg 1-0 on Monday.

"Hopefully we can take care of business (today) and practice and show up Wednesday ready to play," Ousley said. "I think we're prepared for these moments."

Silex ends its season at 8-9.