School history-making continues

June 3, 2015

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports Reporter

Okaw Valley baseball is in elite territory after defeating Blue Ridge 5-2 Monday, advancing to the team’s first ever super sectional. Peyton Hagerman took a no hitter into the fourth inning and struck out 10 batters in the victory.
Hagerman had what you would call an effectively wild day. The senior right hander did his best bulldog impression on the mound, working quickly and keeping the Knights’ hitters uncomfortable at the plate. Okaw Valley head coach Andrew Hagerman said it was a gutsy performance.
“Peyton pitched that game with his heart, not his arm. He threw a lot of gutty pitches in that game. It shows the heart of a champion to execute the way he did even though he hit half the town over there.”
Hagerman allowed a leadoff walk before hitting the opposing pitcher, setting up a two-on, no-out jam in the first inning. Hagerman got out of the threat thanks to a blown attempted squeeze by the Knights’ clean-up hitter. In the bottom half of the inning Hagerman led off the game for the Timberwolves by doubling to the wall in right field. The drive brought the crowd and his teammates to life giving the Timberwolves early confidence. Taylor Coleman followed with a walk, and Garrett Fritz smashed a single up the middle to load the bases for Devon Still. This time it was Okaw Valley’s turn to attempt the squeeze, and they did so to perfection as Still angled the ball to the third base line. Hagerman scored before the ball was fielded, and the ensuing throw to first got away, allowing Coleman to score–hustling all the way from second–spotting the Timberwolves a 2-0 lead and stunning the Knights.

Photo provided by Jennifer Fruchtl
Make no mistakes about it, that isn’t a regional title, but instead the first ever sectional title for the Okaw Valley baseball team following their 5-2 win over Blue Ridge Monday in LeRoy.

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