Colonel Crawford stings the ‘Stangs

June 2, 2013 at 12:07a.m.

Mathews falls in 8 innings

KENT

Colonel Crawford High senior pitcher Nicklya Garverick made several wise decisions during Saturday’s 3-0 eight-inning victory over defending state runners-up Mathews.

The best one came in the bottom of the seventh inning when the Mustangs (22-9) had the potential winning run at third base with nobody out.

Garverick’s brilliant fake throw helped send the Division IV regional final to extra innings and eventually send the Mustangs home earlier than expected.

Garverick appeared rattled after pinch-hitter Karli Romesberg drew a lead-off walk and pinch-runner Paula Sponsler advanced to third base on two wild pitches.

Appearances can be deceiving.

Hollie Shreves hit the ball back to Garverick who faked a throw to first. She then pivoted and fired to catcher Courtney Tinkey who tagged Sponsler at the plate.

“We had opportunities all game long,” Mathews coach Jim Nicula said. “The ball just didn’t bounce our way today.

“We didn’t get the key ground ball to find a hole and get through,” Nicula said. “As the games go on and on a little longer, things get tighter.”

After struggling for most of the scoreless game to get their bats on the pitches by Mustangs sophomore Cheyenne Eggens, the Eagles (18-9) broke through in the eighth inning. Consecutive hits by Jada Kilngenberger, Cassie Sager and Brenna Brown put the Eagles up 1-0.

After Kendra Hudson’s bunt single loaded the bases with one out, Garverick grounded to shortstop Jessica Marsico. But second baseman Maddie Williams was unable to haul in Marsico’s toss, allowing Sager and Brown to score for a 3-0 lead.

“It’s not like a football game where you can call timeout, get in a huddle and call a play,” Nicula said. “You’re limited on the amount of time you can do that.

“We tried to work a couple of things, do things on the run,” Nicula said. “It just did not work out our way.”

The Mustangs had chances as Marsico reached third base in her first two at-bats. In the first inning, she got on base with a fielder’s choice and took third on a throwing error. But a strikeout ended the inning.

In the third inning, Marsico led off with a single and moved up on a groundout and when Garverick chose not to throw on a ground ball hit by Grimes. Marsico was stranded by two more groundouts.

“Two excellent, excellent pitchers having a phenomenal pitchers’ duel through seven innings,” Eagles coach Chuck Huggins said.

Eggens was masterful in the first six innings, allowing just one baserunner when Garverick hit a two-out single in the first inning. In all, Eggens struck out 16 and walked none.

But after retiring 17 in a row, the Eagles threatened in the seventh when Garverick hit a one-out double and stole third. Eggens escaped with a groundout and strikeout.

“I think Cheyenne did tire a little at the end,” Nicula said.

It was the final varsity game for Marsico, center fielder Tabby Granelly, third baseman Jacki Rhine and Halle Oatridge.

“Your heart bleeds for them,” Nicula said. “They don’t get another opportunity.

“But the legacy and the tradition that they started here is tremendous.”

Eggens said, “I’m really going to miss our seniors. They were probably the best mentors we could have ever possibly had.

“It’s definitely disappointing,” Eggens said. “We’re going to have to get over it and work two times as hard next year.”

Nicula saluted the Eagles.

“That’s a phenomenal program,” Nicula said. “They’ve been here before. Coach Huggins is tremendous — he comes in here with a briefcase.”