Hancock posts 2nd straight shutout
By K.D. WARVIE, DMG Sports Writer
POSTED: May 15, 2008
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And he was in a mess of it for most of Hancock’s Western U.P. League game with Rockland Wednesday.
But Burch was able to extricate himself out of every tight spot and led his team to a 12-0 victory.
Burch found himself in hot water right from the get go. Rockland loaded the bases in the top of the first inning.
But Burch would do his best Houdini imitation and was able to get out of the inning. Burch picked off a runner and then fanned the fifth hitter he faced in the frame to put an end to the uprising.
It was the first of three straight innings Burch would leave two Rockland runners on base. His fifth and seventh strikeouts for the day closed out the second and third innings.
“I walked a few people and I usually do, but I just relaxed, buckled down, and all I needed to do was throw them (his pitches) in there,” Burch said. “Good defense behind me helped me out, too.”
Burch settled in after the third and had very little trouble the rest of the way. He left four runners on base over the final three innings.
“I threw them a lot of junk out there,” Burch said of the final three innings. “They were hitting my fastball pretty good so I just threw them curves and a couple sliders and got them off balance.”
Hancock scored all 12 of its runs in support of Burch in two innings. Hancock scored five runs in the third and added seven more in the sixth.
“It took us a little while to figure out this pitcher (Rockland starter) TJ Schmaus,” Hancock coach Gerry Heikkinen said. “I had him when I was coaching Little League and Junior League and I knew the kid could pitch.
“We’ve got a good solid lineup. When out hitters are here we’ve got a tough lineup.”
Jeff Caspray had the big hit for Hancock in the third. His triple drove in two runs that put Hancock up 3-0.
Back-to-back doubles by Matt Heikkinen and Cam Williams produced the final two runs of the inning to make it 5-0. Hancock had a total of five hits in the frame.
Caspray would then add the decisive blow in the sixth. His three-run shot over the left field fence put an end to the contest.
K.D. Warvie can be reached at kwarvie@mininggazette.com
Hancock 12, Rockland 0
R H E
Rockland 000 000 — 0 3 3
Hancock 005 007 — 12 9 1
WP: Chris Burch
LP: TH Schmaus
Team leaders:
Home — Caspray, 3B, HR.
