Andrean explodes with 10-run rally in 6th-inning, defeats Lowell 11-2

A USA-365.com Special Report by Mark Smith

5-06-2009

Team (Record) / Inning	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
ANDREAN (13-2)	1	0	0	0	0	10	0	11	7	0
LOWELL (5-10)	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	2	4	2

Monday, 5-04-2009 - 68 degrees & cloudy at LOWELL, IN

WP - Kyle Otte (1-0) 10 Ks, 3 walks (5 innings)
LP - Keith Greer (0-1) 7Ks, 2 walks (5.7 innings)

ANDREAN (13-2)
Kyle Kovach (CF) 1-for-4, 2 runs scored
Tyler Ochi (LF) 1-for-2, 2 walks, 3 runs scored
Adam Norton (SS) 3-for-4, 2 doubles, 3 RBIs
Kevin Franchetti (C) 0-for-2, HBP, walk
Ken Mahala (3B) 1-for-4, double, 2 RBIs
Mike Pokers (1B-P) 0-for-4
PJ Mason (DH) 0-for-2
Thomas Polus (PH) 0-for-1
Matt Doolin (PH) 0-for-1
Evan Rapacz (RF) 1-for-3, double, 2 RBIs
Ryan Dineen (2B) 0-for-2, walk

LOWELL (5-10)
Josh Del Rio (1B-P) 1-for-1, HBP, walk
Matt Milcarek (1B-DH) 0-for-1
Brandon Grubbe (LF) 0-for-3
Derek Brandenburg (RF) 1-for-3
Craig Austgen (SS) 0-for-2, walk
Justin Bolda (2B) 0-for-2
Eric Harbrecht (PH) 0-for-1
Matt Hilbrich (CF) 0-for-3
JD Muscari (C) 0-for-2, walk
Keith Greer (P-1B) 2-for-2, walk
Jordan Juarez (3B) 0-for-3

LOWELL (5-04-2009) It's hard to look at an 11-2 loss as a positive step forward. But Lowell got a little something out of a nine-run loss to second-ranked Andrean Monday afternoon.

In truth, the final score was misleading. Lowell led 2-1 over the 3A No. 2 59ers (13-2) with one out in the sixth inning when a dropped third strike allowed Andrean's Kyle Kovach to reach base on what should have been the second out. Before that inning was over, the Niners had scored 10 runs and clinched their 11th victory in a row.

"We played right with them except for one inning," said Lowell manager Tom Stoner. "Six out of seven innings we played well. Really well. Keith (Greer) got tired in the sixth. It was his first start of the year. He's just thrown once or twice. He has tendonitis in his shoulder. He's in therapy to strengthen the tendons in the shoulder."

But it was that fact that Lowell (5-10) played Andrean a tight game that made this potentially a big night for the Devils. The big deal was the start of Keith Greer, Lowell's often injured 6-foot-6 senior right-hander who was making his first start of the season. Against a powerhouse state-rated squad on a long winning streak, Greer held Andrean to just one hit, Adam Norton's first-inning RBI double, over the first five innings.

"I thought he pitched a great game," said Stoner. "We had a couple of guys reach base who shouldn't have. Against a team like Andrean, you usually don't strike out very many. He stuck out seven in six innings. That's the kind of thing he can do when he's healthy."

"He's not bad," agreed Andrean pitching coach Al Myszkowski. "Is he a senior? I know he's been hurt a lot. I really haven't seen him before. He worked quickly and he kept us off balance a little."

Greer, who missed most of last year and part of this season with various injuries was very disappointed in how the sixth inning broke down for the Devils. He wasn't sure he pitched all that well.

"I'm through getting hurt," he said while icing his right shoulder after the game. "It's over with. That starts today."

Greer retired nine Niners in a row after Norton's RBI double and he gave up just four hits total in 5-1/3 innings.

"When I get in a zone, I just want to keep going. My breaking ball needs a lot of work. That's my first start since, I don't know when. That's my first start in high school. I was pitching in relief my whole sophomore and junior year. When I was here, I've never had a start in high school."

In the sixth, with one out, Greer struck out Kyle Kovach, but the final pitch was in the dirt requiring a throw to first. JD Muscari, Lowell's backup catcher, threw low to first base and senior Matt Milcarek could not come up with it.

After a stolen base, Andrean's Tyler Ochi singled to tie the game. Adam Norton singled and Kevin Franchetti was hit by a pitch. Ken Mahala then doubled home two runs to make the score 4-2. Mike Pokers then hit a ground ball that could have been a double play, but shortstop Craig Austgen threw wildly to second base, allowing Andrean's fifth run to score.

Evan Rapacz and Norton had two-run doubles off relief pitcher Josh Del Rio and the inning ended with 14 batters, six hits and 10 runs.

"We broke down after that," said Stoner of the second error. "JD's not a catcher, really. We had to use him today. Overall, we were too easy of an out with two strikes. Fifteen times we got to two strikes today and 12 times we made outs. Eleven were strikeouts. We can't have that. You need to jump on that 'first pitch' fastball and don't wait. We've had trouble with that all year and we're continuing to work on that."

Coming to Lowell is a reunion for Myszkowski, the former Hanover player and coach and a former summer player for Lowell American Legion Post 101. Myszkowski has had a lot of success in the last two years as the 59ers pitching coach.

"These are the first earned runs we've given up in 34 innings," Myszkowski said. "Our No. 5 guy (Kyle Otte) comes out today and shuts them down with 10 strikeouts and two walks."

Andrean had a team ERA of under 1.00 when they won 30 games (they were 30-2) last season. Myszkowski reports that the Andrean pitching staff has not had a letdown for the 2009 Niners (13-2).

"We're down to 1.26 for an ERA," he said. "The Illiana Christian game (a 9-1 loss in early April) got us a little. We were up over 2.00 for awhile. But our strikeouts are up from last year. Our walks are down. Statistically, we're having a better season. We have so much talent. Sometimes you just have to get out of their way."

Lowell is still looking ahead. They have to keep everybody healthy for the sectional, which is just three weeks away.

"We play these highly ranked teams and we're playing them close," Stoner said. "We just lost 3-2 to (2A No. 2) Boone Grove Saturday. We lost 7-3 to (4A No. 5) Lake Central. If you look at the statistics of the game today, we gave up seven hits and we made two errors. Against Andrean? I will take that every night."

DEVIL NOTES: Andrean's Adam Norton was to start late Tuesday as the 59ers faced Naperville (Illinois) Central at the University of Notre Dame. One of Naperville's coaches has a relative on the ND staff and they were able to schedule a game. When an opponent was discussed, it was learned that Norton is signed to play at ND and the match was made. It was not the first time Norton played at ND.

"I played on the Indiana Bulls (traveling summer team) last year when they needed some players and we got a chance to play there," Norton said.

In the sixth inning, trailing 2-1, Andrean coach Dave Pishkur had the first two batters bunt. It appeared to be a vivid way for the Niner coach to get his players' attention and suggest they play for one run instead of swinging for the extra base hit.

"I don't know," said Norton. "But that guy just picked up his 700th (career) win last week. I think we can go along with him on that."

"I'm seeing it much better," said Norton. "I was a little anxious at the beginning of the year. Coach talked to me about patience. My dad told be just to be patient. We have such a good team. If I don't get a hit the guy behind me will pick me up."

2009 Andrean (13-2)
30-2 in 2008, 25-10 in 2007
Coach Dave Pishkur (29th year) 689-230
Home games in Bold, NWC games in CAPS
4/4 (W) 10-3 Gavit (2-4)

4/20/9 (rain) at KANKAKEE VALLEY - 4:30 p.m.
4/22/9 (W) (Chicago Hts.) Marian Catholic - 4:15 p.m.
4/24/9 (F) at HIGHLAND - 4:30 p.m.
4/25/9 (Sat) vs. Bishop Noll (at Railcats Stadium) - 12 noon
4/28/09 (Tu) MUNSTER - 4:30 p.m.
4/30/09 (Th) at HOBART - 4:30 p.m.

Brebeuf Invitational (in Indianapolis)
5/2/9 (Sat) vs. Norwell - 12:00 noon
5/2/9 (Sat) vs. Brebeuf - 2:00 p.m.

5/4/9 (M) at LOWELL - 4:30 p.m.
5/5/9 (Tu) vs. Naperville Central - 5:00 p.m. (CDT)
at (South Bend) Notre Dame
5/6/9 (W) at GRIFFITH - 4:30 p.m.
5/8/9(W) KANKAKEE VALLEY - 4:30 p.m.
5/12/9 (Tu) at Hanover Central - 4:30 p.m.
5/13/9 (W) at Lemont, Ill. - 4:45 p.m.
5/14/9 (Th) HIGHLAND - 4:30 p.m.
5/18/9 (M) at MUNSTER - 4:30 p.m.
5/20/9 (W) HOBART - 4:30 p.m.

Carmel Invitational (Hartman Field)
5-22/9 (F) to be announced (p.m.)
5-23/9 (Sat) to be announced (a.m.)

5/25/9 (M) Merrillville - 10:00 a.m.

Kankakee Valley (3A) Sectional
5/28/9 (Th) quarterfinals - 6:00 p.m.
5/28/9 (Sat) semifinal - 6:00 p.m.
5/28/9 (Mon) Sectional championship - 4:30 p.m.