Fri, Jul 18 2008
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Published May 17, 2008 12:29 am - Say DeGrace Toronto native’s big swing in game one helps the Cowboys sweep first day of playoffs at Warner By Mike Kays Phoenix Sports Editor WARNER — By Mike Kays
Phoenix Sports Editor WARNER -- Perry Keith has talked often about his team’s unshakeable approach to the game of baseball this season. Friday’s opener of the South Central District tournament at Biff Thompson Field challenged that not only with his players, but was enough to give the veteran coach a dance with anxiety. Connors State survived in a 5-4 victory over Delgado Community College of New Orleans, La., by shaking off a 21-minute protest delay, inconsistent pitching and an offense which struggled to record just three hits in the contest, but answered at the right times. Then in the nightcap, Keith watched his team build a 6-0 lead that grew to 9-2 before Crowder (Mo.) scored three consecutive runs and at one point in the ninth, faced the Riders’ cleanup hitter with no outs but escaped with a 9-5 win. “Never a dull moment,” Keith said. “At least we can get out of this thing Saturday.” With Crowder eliminated, the Cowboys (46-17) will see Delgado (33-17) again at 2 p.m. today, needing a win there or in the proverbial “if necessary” game at 1 p.m. Sunday to earn their fourth trip to the NJCAA World Series. Delgado beat Crowder 9-4 in Friday’s second contest., with the Riders hurting themselves with four errors -- equaling their miscues in their second game. Back to the opener. Kyle DeGrace’s double off the center field wall with two outs and the bases loaded put Connors up 3-0. Then, trailing 4-3 in the sixth and after Oktaha High School grad Brett Thompson’s sinking line drive to center field fell in to load the bases, Brock Feldmann’s sacrifice fly scored Justin Worby, who got the inning started with a one-out single. Brett Coffman then gave the Cowboys the lead again when he scored on a passed ball. But Delgado grabbed the lead with a four-run fifth against Cowboys starting pitcher Dustin Williams. After Williams had struck out the first two batters of the inning, his ninth and 10th of the game, he gave up back-to-back walks to Josh Liberto and Justin Aldridge. That brought up Max Ladet, who hit a hard hopper that bounced off the handle of Tyler Tuthill at third and caromed toward shortstop where Feldmann made the scoop. His throw, however, skipped by DeGrace at first and into the dugout. That scored Liberto and put Aldridge and Ladet in scoring position. Delgado coach Joe Schuermann argued that Aldridge should have been given home, having reached second on the error, instead of having to remain at third. “There were two plays on the ball. I asked him if it was his understanding that (Aldridge) had second on the throw and he said yes. That should have sent (Aldridge) home,” Schuermann said. “I read the rule, I’ve been through this before this season where it went against us so I know what it’s supposed to be.” Keith just shrugged. “It’s the base he was going to plus one,” Keith said. “I didn’t understand the delay though. Why it took so long to get it done, I have no idea, but what it did was freeze Dustin Williams and then all of it became irrelevant anyway.” 
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