Balanced effort leads to a Fairmont victory
Trending
FAIRMONT - One swing firmly separated Fairmont from the Worthington Cubs.
Jon Traetow was already on pitch number six during his at-bat in the bottom of the fourth inning, fouling off pitches to keep his time in the box alive. Teammates Eli Anderson and Luke Becker were vying to cash in from their place on the basepaths.
Worthington pitcher Tucker Brandner made a crucial mistake in his next delivery. Facing a full count, Brandner left a ball that passed through the zone a tad too much. Traetow took advantage. His line drive cleared the right field fence by at least 10 feet in height, with the ball slamming into the stadium lights before finding its way back on the outfield grass.
The loud bang from the metal echoed as Traetow touched home, stamping a six-run Martin’s lead to effectively put the game out of reach. But it wasn't just Traetow that found success with the bat. Fairmont used a consistent offensive effort to take down the Cubs 9-1 at Herb Wolf Field on Wednesday night, securing Game One of the best-of-three series in the second round of the Region 10C Playoffs.
"It was really important. Anytime you can come out in Game One and make a statement, it gives the team confidence," Fairmont Martins manager Levi Becker said. "We played our best style of baseball from the first pitch, put pressure on them early, and now want to carry that momentum the rest of the series."
It was that same consistent offensive effort that started everything.
Joey Crissinger and Spencer Chirpich got the ball rolling by driving in the Martins’ first three runs of the evening. Crissinger brought home Anderson on a deep double to right field in the third frame. Two batters later, Chirpich collected his first of two hits, this one a bloop single to center field, that completed the two-run inning.
Crissinger added his second RBI the following trip to the plate. A sacrifice flyout to right field not only sent home Levi Becker from third, but set the table for Traetow's big swing. A game-defining sequence.
Fairmont finished the contest with nine hits and nine RBIs. It's the biggest offensive output the team has had since its game against Heron Lake on Wednesday, July 8, where they scored 10 runs on nine hits. A balanced effort that Levi Becker loves to see.
"I thought our approach at the plate was really good," Levi Becker said. "We had timely hits, worked six walks and had contributions all throughout the lineup. Jon Traetow came up big with a three-run homer, and it's great to see the middle of the lineup driving in runs."
Decisive pitching helps win games as well. All season, the Fairmont starters have consistently given the team chances with deep and strong outings night in and night out. Wednesday was no different.
Josh Smith was again "outstanding" in the eyes of Levi Becker. The early run support definitely helped his approach, but after six innings, Smith gave up just one run on four hits, fanning nine batters in the process.
"He attacked the zone and kept them off balance all game," Levi Becker said. "When your starter gives you six strong innings with nine strikeouts, it gives the whole team confidence."
Fairmont tacked on three more runs in the seventh inning thanks to hits from Luke Becker and Crissinger. Luke Becker flexed his speed after deciding to take third base on his line drive to right field, plating Zach Jorgenson and Anderson. Crissinger delivered the final blow with another single that drove in Luke Becker from third. The third basemen finished with three RBIs and three hits. His biggest game for the Martins this season.
Jack Hested tossed the final three innings following Smith's performance. Similar to Smith, it was lights out, with Hested allowing zero hits and striking out two. Both Smith and Hested allowed a combined two free bases.
"When we are getting quality pitching, and everyone is contributing offensively, we know we can make a deep run," Levi Becker said on the balanced team effort. "We played clean baseball, got timely hits and controlled the strike zone. That's the formula we want to keep building on throughout the playoffs."
Game Two will take place this Friday back at Fairmont's home field. First pitch is set for 7:30 p.m.