AUSTIN — It was experience over youth in a big way on Saturday as Evansville Mater Dei ended the season for Providence with an 11-1, six-inning victory in the opening round of the Class 2A regional at Austin.
“Our sectional win was our sixth, so I never have any doubt that we can compete for a sectional title,” said Providence coach Scott Hornung. “We’ve proven that over time. But it’s quite a task to beat a senior-laden team with a sophomore-laden team.”
It was two of those seniors that did most of the damage for the Wildcats (19-12). Pitcher Jerad Eickhoff went the distance on the mound, giving up just four hits while striking out six and walking five while consistently throwing in the 90-91-mile-per-hour range.
Right fielder Brent Weinzapfel went 2-for-3 at the plate with five RBIs and two home runs, a two-run shot to center field with two out in the third and a three-run blast to center with none out in the sixth.
Weinzapfel’s shot in the third came after Providence hurler Jeffrey Schueler had retired the first two batters of the inning. But then Mater Dei’s Jacob Weinzapfel reached on an error by first baseman Joe Becht.
Mater Dei then added another run as Seth LaRue singled home Brad Wannenmuehler who had reached on a double error by third baseman Brett Robinson.
“It was 1-0 at that point and then they got three runs, all unearned,” Hornung said. “Mistakes — that’s something you cannot do against a team with their talent. I knew that it would be a challenge to put up multiple runs against their guy.”
The Wildcats also plated three runs in the fifth inning with the big hits being a two-run double by Cory Lipking and a sacrifice fly by Caleb Eickhoff that scored pinch runner Weston Brandenstein.
Entering the sixth inning with only two hits on the day, Providence (18-10) made an effort to send the game to a final frame as Ryan Dixon led off the inning by reaching on an infield hit. Jason Dome then drew a walk.
With one out, Becht ripped a single to left, scoring Dixon and putting runners at second and third. But Eickhoff then dug deep to strike out both Christian Betz and Michael Hornung to end it.
In his final outing on the mound for Providence, Schueler went 3 1/3 innings, giving up seven hits, striking out two and did not walk a batter.
“This season I was surprised by the great start that we got off to,” Hornung said. “But it was the leadership of our three seniors that carried this team. Injuries and other things can play a big part. The only guarantee we have for next year is a lot of players returning.”
CLASS 2A AUSTIN REGIONAL
SEMIFINAL
EV. MATER DEI 103 133—11 11 0
PROVIDENCE 000 001— 1 4 3
W — J. Eickhoff (7-1). L — Schueler (6-4). 2B — Wannemuehler (M), C. Eickhoff (M), Lipking (M). HR— B. Weinzapfel (M) 2.
Record — Providence 18-10, Evansville Mater Dei 19-12.
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