Published: July 18, 2008 11:24 pm            

North evens 10-11-year-old Little League tournament

Teams ties at 1 game each

CLINTON — Clinton’s inability to convert a seemingly sure double play in the bottom of the fourth inning was the spark necessary to lift North Terre Haute out of its offensive doldrums.

What would have been a still-manageable 4-2 contest heading to the fifth inning if the double play was executed, turned quickly into a rout as North Terre Haute defeated Clinton 9-2 Friday in the Little League 10-11s District 4 Tournament at Sportland Park.

With the victory — coming on the heels of a disappointing 1-0 eight-inning loss at home Thursday — NTH evened up this best-of-three series at a game apiece.

The “if necessary” championship game will be played at 7 p.m. tonight in Clinton, the venue being determined by a coin flip prior to the game. The winner would advance to the State Tournament, hosted by North Terre Haute.

“I’m real proud of our kids after a tough-luck loss [Thursday] … bounced back real strong tonight,” stated NTH manager Jim “Peach” Leitgabel. “Got the bats going finally. Got a lot of good hits from a lot of people.

“Clinton made a few errors helped us out. That’s what it takes to win ball games. A little bit of luck. We’ll take luck anytime over skill.”

A pair of infield singles, a walk, a Clinton error — the home team had five miscues — followed by Luke Vrabic being drilled in the back by a pitch with the bases loaded vaulted NTH ahead 2-0 in the first inning.

Clinton rallied to knot the score at 2-2 in the third inning. Cole Morgan walked, then with two outs, Jordan Branz doubled and both runners scored on a single by Daniel Shew.

With one out in the fourth, NTH’s Zach Leitgabel singled on a bouncer up the middle, followed by a Austin Kurashima bloop single to left field. Pinch runner Drew Dransfield had to hold up and would have been forced at second, but the Clinton outfielder’s throw went awry, moving both runners to second and third.

Brandon Curley beat out a high chopper to shortstop for a single to drive in Dransfield. But the Clinton shortstop’s hard throw to first eluded the first baseman for an error, Kurashima coming around to score for a 4-2 NTH lead.

Curley moved to second on a wild pitch, then Prifogle walked to put runners at first and second.

Zach Haase hit a screaming line drive that was snared by Clinton pitcher Taylor Morgan for the second out but his throw to second, which would have easily doubled off Curley, missed its mark and the inning continued.

“The double play ball was probably the biggest play of the inning there,” Leitgabel mentioned. “Allowed us to continue the inning. Started hitting the ball. We finally got [Clinton’s] pitcher out. Got a different pitcher in and we started hitting the ball a lot better.”

The next batter, Zach Edwards singled up the middle to score Curley. But when the ball went through the Clinton centerfielder’s legs for the third error of the inning, Prifogle also scored. Austin Hicks doubled in Edwards and NTH was up 7-2 in sudden fashion.

NTH added a pair of insurance tallies in the fifth. Leitgabel singled, Curley doubled, both scoring on Prifogle’s double.

Clinton had a few scoring opportunities themselves, but stranded seven baserunners — four in scoring position.

Edwards picked up the victory for NTH, going five innings and striking out six batters. Kurashima pitched a scoreless sixth inning to close out the game.

“We got our three, four and number five pitchers left, so we feel pretty confident in our pitching,” Leitgabel said looking forward to tonight’s rubber game of the series. “If the kids come out and throw like they have during the year we’ll be fine.

“They just got to come out and play there game, Hit the ball like we did tonight and everything will fall in place.”



Clinton 002 000 — 2 4 5

North Terre Haute 200 52x — 9 10 0

T.Morgan (L), Dunegan (5) and C.Morgan; Edwards (W), Kurashima (6) and Vrabic, Asay (4).

Highlights — For Clinton, Jordan Branz had a double and scored a run; Daniel Shew was 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs; Tanner Waldrop had a double. For NTH, Damon Prifogle was 2 for 3 with a double, 2 RBIs and scored 2 runs; Zach Edwards was 1 for 2 with a RBI, scored 2 runs and was winning pitcher, fanning six in five innings; Austin Hicks was 1 for 3 with a double and RBI; Luke Vrabic was hit by a pitch for a RBI; Zach Leitgabel was 2 for 2; Brandon Curley was 2 for 3 with a double, RBI and scored 2 runs.

Next — Clinton hosts North Terre Haute in the championship game of the best-of-three Little League 10-11 year-old District 4 Tournament at 7 p.m. today.

        

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