The Class 2A, No. 5 Eagles' bats were kept at bay, managing a paltry one hit in the first three innings, but it was back-to-back doubles in the top of the fourth that gave Heritage Christian a 1-0 lead. They later added one more run after freshman Adam Meadows beat a throw to first and eventually scored what proved to be the game-winning run. For photos from the game, copy and paste the following URL into a new browser:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/thechron/sets/72157624176896268/

Scecina ace throws a four hitter in loss

Scecina pitcher Beau Freeland allowed the Eagles only four hits, but those four hits proved to be the most opportunistic  in a game in which the Crusaders left more players on base than Heritage Christian had hits.  The Crusaders left eight players on base, including stranding two at third base.

Heritage Christian head coach Dan Ambrose anticipated a pitching duel between the two teams, so he devised a hitting strategy that he thought would give his players an advantage over the Scecina Memorial pitching staff. The strategy worked to perfection.

"We talked about having a different hitting philosophy than we used in our game against Scecina earlier in the season," Ambrose said. " We had batters in spots 1-4 take the pitcher deep into the count to get some pitches on him, but had those who it in spots 5-9 swing and try to hit the first good pitch."

Eagles score first in fourth inning

The Eagles finally broke out of their hitting slump when senior Ryan Ledbetter and junior Jeff Miley hit back-to-back doubles with two out to put the Eagles ahead, but left one runner on base after senior Ryan Kreeger grounded out to end the inning.

"It was a big run for us especially since it helped us take the lead," Ambrose. "We knew going into this game that the keys were going to be pitching, defense and teamwork."

Scecina Memorial head baseball coach Jason Kehrer seemed to have a premonition just before the start of the game as to when the Eagles might score their runs. .

"We have had our biggest problems this year when we have had two outs on our opponents," Kehrer said. "It is hard for me to relax when until we get that third out to end the inning."

Scecina scores in fifth inning

Scecina scored its lone run came in the bottom of the fifth when it loaded the bases after reaching on a fielder's choice. Senior Pat Barton was hit by a pitch and senior Jesse Herrman registered an infield hit and beat a throw at first to load the bases, as a Scecina running crossed home plate, making it 2-1 with two outs. The scoring threat ended when senior Reid Smith was called on strikes for the third out.

Scecina looked in poised to tie the game after senior Pat Barton hit a leadoff double in the bottom of the sixth, but senior Ryan Tooley and Freeland each stuck out before freshman Thomas Allgood struck out the end the inning with Barton left on third.