Spending a day at the yard

Day three of the 2010 Horizon League Baseball Championship is undoubtedly the most intriguing afternoon and evening of the four-day (or possibly five-day) event. The day begins with five teams — three facing elimination, and two looking for the quickest path to the championship game. It's a showcase of the best the League has to offer. It's also an example of how "wanting it more" can sometimes be the difference between winning and losing. And today, it lived up to the hype.

Friday's first game at the U.S. Steel Yard was a re-match of a first round game, as #3 UIC met #6 Youngstown State. The Penguins took the first showdown between these two squads on Wednesday night, 8-4, but the Flames won when it mattered most. A tight, one run game most of the way, UIC tacked on two runs late and held on for a 4-1 victory. Jason Ganek came through with a clutch RBI double in the bottom of the 3rd to give the Flames the lead for good. If that weren't enough, Ganek was also called upon to close the door in the bottom of the 9th inning. Youngstown State was threatening with runners at 1st and 2nd with only one out. Ganek entered, recorded the game's final two outs, and picked up the first save of his career. Following the game, Head Coach, Mike Dee had plenty of praise for his third baseman and also shed some light on Ganek's future on the mound.



Regardless of the results, this tournament will be a success—on some level—for the Flames by virtue of them simply being healthy. If you remember last year's Horizon League Championship, UIC's performance was marred by a severe flu virus that swept through their roster. Dee remembered the situation all too well.



It's a good thing Dee had the opportunity to say he was proud of his guys for the way they've fought this year, because in the blink of an eye their season was over.

As solid as their starting pitching had been all tournament long, the Flames turned to their most successful pitcher this season to try and beat back the Crusaders—Michael Heesch—but he simply didn't have his best stuff. Valpo tattooed Heesch for six hits and six earned runs in just two innings of work. The Crusaders remained dialed in at the dish no matter who the Flames sent to the mound (five pitchers total), and walked away with a 10-5 victory. Each player in the Crusaders' lineup had a hit (15 total), with Justin Frane, Robbie Robinson, and Will Hagel each recording a multi-hit game.

Speaking to local newspaper reporters (and yours truly) following the victory, Valparaiso Head Coach, Tracy Woodson, addressed the one topic that's always a factor once you reach Day 4 of a double-elimination baseball tournament: PITCHING.



Now, they still have to get there, but think about how perfect a Sunday championship sets up for the Crusaders. Bryce Shafer—the Horizon League Pitcher of the Year—would (potentially) be on three-days rest, pitching for Valpo's first-ever Horizon League team title. The Crusaders have been close in the past with their volleyball team and their women's soccer team this year... but could it be the baseball team that breaks through? If Shafer's on the hill, they've got as good a chance as anyone.

Friday's third and final game was everything a showdown between the top two seeds should be, as #1 Wright State battled #2 Milwaukee. Pitching duels are rare enough in college baseball, but even more so on the third day of a conference tournament. Despite all that, Wright State's Casey Henn and Milwaukee's Jayme Sukowaty were on top of their game from start to finish.

In the bottom of the 6th inning, the Raiders got a lead off double from Gerald Ogrinc. He was then sacrificed to third base on a bunt from Aaron Fields. Then Dan Marsh stepped to the plate and laced an RBI single through the right side, scoring Ogrinc. THAT was the difference in the ball game, as Wright State eeked out a 1-0 victory.

Sukowaty was the tough luck loser, throwing eight magnificent innings, allowing just three hits, one earned run, and striking out three. Perhaps most impressive, was that it only took him 81 pitches to get through his eight innings of work.

On the flip side, Henn was absolutely spectacular in earning the shutout victory. He tossed a complete game, gave up six hits, and struck out 14 Panthers to set a new Horizon League Championship single-game record for strikeouts. It took him 141 pitches to accomplish the feat, and even Henn—as you'll see below—wasn't 100% confident he had that kind of effort in him.



Remember... he's just a sophomore. Safe to say, he'll never question himself again. The Raiders' Head Coach, Rob Cooper, was blown away by the performance. He had a little trouble explaining how good Henn's outing was, but eventually the right words came to him.



Pretty high praise, don't you think?

An incredible day, capped off by more incredible performances. Saturday's action begins at 11am CT (Noon ET) with #2 Milwaukee facing #4 Valparaiso in an elimination game. #1 Wright State awaits the winner, and will have to be defeated twice before someone else can claim the 2010 Horizon League Baseball Championship. If you can't make it to the U.S. Steel Yard, you can always watch it all unfold—LIVE—here on HLN!