Huskies eliminate Grizzlies in zone semifinals
BY MIKE HOUSER
Appeal Sports Writer
Although the 10-run mercy rule was invoked after five innings, the Reno Huskies were anything but merciful in eliminating the Galena Grizzlies from the NIAA Northern 4A Regional Baseball Championships in Thursday's semifinal game.
One day after pounding the two-time defending zone champion Grizzlies 17-9, the Sierra League champion Huskies bombed Galena 20-4 at Damonte Ranch High School.
Reno, now 28-6, will meet High Desert League champion Manogue, 15-0 winners over Reed in the other semifinal, in the championship game 1 p.m. Saturday at Bishop Manogue High School.
Both teams have advanced to next week's state championships.
Although it went the minimum five innings, the game was as good as over in the second inning. Reno opened up the game's scoring in a big way, sending 17 batters to the plate, getting 13 runs on seven hits in the frame.
Fourteen of those batters and all 13 runs came with two outs in the inning.
"We came in knowing we had to put up runs, said Reno second baseman Thomas Wood. "They're a great team. That second inning we just totally unleashed."
Woods, a senior, went 2-for-4 with a team-high four runs batted in.
"Thomas Wood is our emotional leader on the field," said Reno skipper Pete Savage, who is in his 18th season. "He's one of the team captains. He plays extremely hard every inning, every pitch. He's going to be a good college baseball player."
Things didn't get any easier for the Grizzlies in the third inning, when 13 Huskies came to the plate and added six more hits and seven more runs for a 20-0 lead. Eight of those batters and four of those runs came with two outs.
"Our guys were patient and got some good pitches to hit," Savage said. "Pitching gets a little thinner as the tournament goes on."
All nine of Reno's starters had scored by the end of the second inning and, before the game was over, 11-of-17 of its batters hit safely. Catcher Shawn Walters had a team high three hits - he went 3-for-4 with three RBI - and right fielder Skyler Kachurack went 2-for-2 with three RBI.
Reno shortstop Glenn Wallace (1-for-2) and designated hitter Cavin Hill (1-for-2) each added two RBI in the well-balanced attack.
"It was a team effort," Wood said. "[Against Galena on Wednesday], our pitcher Drew Simpson went down after getting hit [by his own foul tip] in the face. We took this game for him."
Galena, which eliminated Spanish Springs with a 10-5 victory earlier Thursday, scored all four of its runs against the Huskies in the fifth inning. Brian Pointer, Erik Underwood and Luke Hess each homered in the inning.
Reno starter Tom Jameson took the win, giving up two hits in a scoreless three innings.
Blake Hinkel, Leo Fuentes and Ben Shuman went the rest of the way for the Huskies, giving up a combined four hits.
Starter Levi Stafford took the loss for Galena, which ended its season 27-9-1. Stafford lasted 1 2/3 innings, giving up seven hits and 10 earned runs. The Grizzlies used five other pitchers in relief, giving up a combined seven runs and seven hits.
Scott Underwood threw 130 pitches for the Grizzlies in going the distance against the Cougars. He allowed six hits and struck out eight.
Reno took an 11-6 victory over the Miners in their only meeting of the season on April 8.
"Manogue obviously has a very talented team with top-notch players," Savage said. "We have a ton of respect for them. They're deep on the mound and very well coached. It should be a good ballgame. We try to break it down to one pitch at a time - that's our philosophy. Our kids stick to that. We're going to go out and compete Saturday."
The Huskies have won four regional championships under Savage and was the last Northern team to win a state championship in 2004.
In other action Thursday, Reed eliminated Douglas, 14-9, before meeting Manogue.
• Contact Mike Houser at mhouser@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1214