Quest for perfection / LJWorld.com

Archive for Thursday, July 30, 2009

Ottawa Legion team to put 39-0 record on line

Ottawa Post 60 players Chase Dengel, right, Dylan Nelson and Adam Maxwell play catch in a parking lot near the intersection of Second and Hickory streets as the sky clears from the rain Tuesday, July 28, 2009 in Ottawa. The legion baseball team, which is 39-0 on the season is hoping to carry their undefeated streak through the state tournament.

By Brooke Sutherland

July 30, 2009

Photo by Nick Krug

Ottawa Post 60 player Dylan Nelson showcases his bat balancing ability while he and other teammates wait for their turn in the batting cage Tuesday, July 28, 2009. The players practiced Tuesday in an indoor batting facility they call "the cave."

When the American Legion AA state baseball tournament opens today in Sabetha, Ottawa will be the odds-on favorite.

That’s because Ottawa is unbeaten in its 39 games so far this summer.

“It’s pretty unreal,” Ottawa catcher Chase Dengel said. “But it’s really exciting for us to try to keep that going at state. I mean, I’ve never heard of an undefeated state champion in baseball.”

Ottawa will meet Pratt in its first-round tourney game at 3:30 p.m. today.

“I think we have a tough road ahead of us,” Ottawa coach Shawn Herrmann said. “We start with Pratt. They don’t have a high school team, but in 2007 they finished second in state. They’re 17- and 18-year-olds, big kids who like to play baseball.”

In a 39-0 season, it’s hard to find just one game that stands out. There was the 20-0 romp over Osawatomie in the championship game of the zone qualifier in Paola last weekend.

But for Herrmann, the most memorable game came midseason against Olathe South in the Emporia Tournament.

“They’re one of the top AAA teams in the state,” Herrmann said. “We ended up beating them, 11-9. But there was a lot of tension, a lot of pressure. Guys stepped up and played really well when we had to.”

Olathe South came within one game of qualifying for the AAA Legion state meet, but fell to the Lawrence Raiders in the championship game.

Herrmann has made it a point to use every player on his roster.

“Everyone doesn’t show up every single game,” he said, “but it seems like there’s a different player that steps up every night and either pitches well or hits well or does something for us.”

One is Blake Firestone, an upcoming senior at Ottawa High. Firestone has worn many hats this summer.

“He’s pitched for us, he plays third base for us, he’s caught for us, he bats leadoff for us, and he sparks us,” Herrmann said. “He’s a major contributor.”

While most of the players have been playing together since junior high, Ottawa has received a boost from brothers Corbin and Connor Goedert, who moved to Ottawa from Concordia. Corbin will be a senior and Connor a sophomore at Ottawa High.

“They’ve helped a lot,” Herrmann said. “They’re two of the top five hitters on our team, and they both have seven or eight home runs. They’re good ball players. Corbin is one of the best hitters we’ve had in the Ottawa Legion.”

But no one player is responsible for this summer’s success. Together this group has just clicked.

“They’re so unselfish,” Herrmann said. “Every guy has played in every single game. When I say, ‘You’re going to come out,’ they really don’t care if they come out because they know they’re going to play the next game.”

Discussion

LJWorld.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.
Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.

31 July 2009
at 4:34 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

dubya (Anonymous) says…

Actually, Pratt does have a high school team. They have appeared in the 4A state tourney 5 times in their 15 year (baseball) history. They are coached by a true state legend, “Smokey” Ford. He has been a staple of KS high school/Legion baseball for the better part of 30 years.
31 July 2009
at 4:35 p.m.

Suggest removal

Permalink

dubya (Anonymous) says…

Ottawa defeated Pratt 9-1. 40-0 is quite impressive, it'd be a shame to lose one this deep into the season!