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Hoyas Head Home Happy After Home Run Controversy, Rockville Pike 6 Landon and Results of the Liftathon
by LVLOWBEAR
The Bears lost their second one run game in the last and now start the IAC season 1-2. On a gray, overcast damp day, more reminiscent of mid March than mid April, many were surprised to see a playable field as the temperatures hovered in the low 50s and the wind played tricks with fly balls.
The anticipated pitching duel pitted senior Jack Falvey against GP senior Drew Schott. Schott threw 118 pitches and all seven innings to complete the 2 and 1/2 hour game. Falvey was sharp, however in six out of seven innings the Hoyas reached first base with no outs in the inning…putting pressure on the Bears defense and forcing Landon pitchers, Falvey and eventual relievers Max Kra and Lee Schellhammer to deliver most of their pitches from the “stretch”.
The Bears generated six hits, including two that left the yard and one of those that counted as a home run. Hits were recorded by Jay Graham (single/HR), Kyle Colgain (Triple), and Catcher Ian Kelso (two singles). Runs were scored by Lee Schellhammer, Kyle Colgain, Jack Falvey,Henry Duncan, Max Kra and Jay Graham.
GP had three players with two or more hits including Frazier with 4, Norton with three and Olson with two.
Controversy arose around a number of plays with a disputed HR being the strangest and most controversial call of the season. The Hoyas jumped to a 1 run lead in the first and then added 3 more in the top of the third to go ahead 4-0, with Schott looking very sharp from the hump. In the bottom of the third, Lee Schellhammer and Max Kra worked Schott for two walks bringing Kyle Colgain to the plate. For the second time in five days, Colgain took one deep over the left center field fence, a line drive that just never came down. As he trotted the bases and touched helmets with fellow captain Jay Graham, the Bears began to celebrate their comeback in the dugout, no outs and 3 runs plated, score 4-3. However, the home plate umpire then suggested to the GP catcher that he appeal the HR, since he said he did not see Colgain touch home plate. The appeal withstood amidst significant controversy and the Bears lost some important momentum.
In the later innings, the Hoyas would push across two more runs, off reliever Max Kra, on two bloop singles, evading the outstretched gloves of CF Lee Schellhammer and falling just inches from SS Nick Murray and LF Marty Bednar. In addition, during the course of the game the Bears would snuff out some potential Hoya rallies, and leave RISP with outstanding defensive plays. Defensive gems included two double plays with a particularly nifty double play in the top of the 7th, with the bases loaded. In the top of the 7th, with the score 6-4 and the Hoyas threatening, Lee Schellhammer, was brought in to relieve Max Kra, after a walked batter and infield hit put runners on second and third base with one out. Coach Bednar then decided to load the bases and play the odds by pulling the infield in to trying and maintain the margin at two runs. With just three pitches, Schellhammer’s left handed delivery and off speed pitch enticed the menacing Hoya batter to hit a sharp ground ball back to Schellhammer who fired home to catcher Ian Kelso who then delivered a laser to first baseman Kyle Colgain for the inning ending, rally crushing, double play. Other defensive gems turned in earlier in the game were then SS Max Kra, ranging far toward the LF boundary line and snagging a windswept, twisting pop up to leave two Hoyas stranded on 2nd and 3rd base and provide a lift to the Bear’s spirits. Cather Ian Kelso also made a headlong, twisting catch against the fence, tumbling over as he caught the wicked, whirling foul ball pop-up. However, an alert Hoya, in a heads up and aggressive play, parked himself on first base and immediately tagged up racing toward second base and beat Kelso’s throw. This play worked and stunned the Bears with his aggressive base running bravado. He would eventually score. CF Lee Schellhammer also ended an inning with RISP with an over the shoulder tumbling catch of a bulleted line drive (sure double) off the bat of the GP catcher. It was day of ups and downs for both teams.
In the bottom of the seventh, as the 4:30 start crept past the seven o’clock hour, and the crowd of 100 began to thin out, everyone remaining leaned forward to see what the Bears would do in their half of the seventh inning.
As the setting sun began playing peek-a-boo with the clouds, the Bears prepared to send the heart of their line up to the plate hoping for the same type of tailor made comeback that allowed them to win 13 of last year’s final 14 games including 7 by one run. The Bears hit the ball hard two times in the 7th, but plated just one run on a towering 400 ft Home run by Jay Graham over the CF fence. Unfortunately, it was a solo homer and brought the score to within one run, 6-5. Schott took a deep breath and with the GP bullpen quiet, he hoped to end the rally on his 118th pitch. The Bears could muster no more runs and lost their second one run ball game at home in as many weeks.
The Bears went down swinging and as both teams gathered in the outfield with emotionally charged coach talks that highlighted both the positives and negatives of the game depending on your loyalties. Fortunately, everyone who walked off the field knew this rivalry would begin again in less than 24 hours.
Thursday April 14th: Landon at Prep 4:30 PM
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