Titans overcome early-inning woes to win
- posted: 19 June 2007
- scrollopinion@byui.edu
The Titans defeated the Wildcats in the regular-season finale for the BYU-Idaho competitive baseball league June 16.
The game went back-and-forth, but in the end the Titans managed to overcome a 7-1 deficit. Tom Roberts started the rally with a base hit that brought teammate Nate Eichner home in the bottom of the sixth. The run gave the Titans an 8-7 win.
While the game was close, the coaches felt each person could learn more from the events.
“Kam [Redder] and I have talked about not getting high or low during a game. Today gave our team a chance to practice those skills,” said Eichner, a senior from Kendrick, Idaho, and the head coach for the Titans.
After gaining an early 1-0 lead, the Wildcats’ Brian Ward walked and then stole second base. Carlos Orozco managed to knock him in, tying the game at one. Orozco’s hit started a seven-run rally for the Wildcats. The streak lasted two innings.
The Titans refused to get discouraged by these events.
“One of our team’s mottos is ‘so what?’ you always get another chance, so it’s always good to not give up,” said Titans pitcher and assistant coach, Kam Redder, a senior from Burley, Idaho.
Redder hit a double and the next Titan batter hit him home to make the game 7-2. It began a series of innings where the Titans slowly fought their way back. With three runs in the third, two in the fourth, and one in the fifth, the Titans found themselves in a 7-7 tie.
“This shows how good this league is. We have good games and good players. Everyone has a good attitude and plays hard, the way it should be,” Eichner said.
After a pitching change for the Wildcats, Eichner drew the walk and then stole second to set up Roberts’ game-winning hit.
“Tom [Roberts] struggled his first few times at bat, but he never gave up and believed he could help the team. [He] and Nate gave us the win,” Redder said.
After the game, the Titans met together to discuss the game and the events. “This win came from a total team effort,” said Titans shortstop Matthew Stokes, a freshman from Songton, South Korea.
Stokes wasn’t alone in this assessment. “A lot of wins can come from blow-outs. It’s not hard to win when you’re up by a lot. It’s nice to win soundly, but it’s also good to show you can come back with a team by practicing the essentials,” Redder said.
The team-unity philosophy is shared by other teams in the league. “If you want to play as a team and are willing to improve, this is the league to be in. I think all the teams are using that philosophy,” Eichner said.
No matter what philosophy is applied, one thing stood out above the rest. “I like the atmosphere that we have and how we can incorporate the gospel. You can feel the spirit,” Eichner said.
The game caused four teams to end the season with tied records. The seven-team competitive league will base the post-season tournament bracket on those final records. The tournament starts June 19 at 7 p.m. Those interested in watching the games can find the information at http://activities.byui.edu/sports.
