May 22, 2014 Spartans blank Comets Oakwood strikes out 11 times in regional loss to St. Joseph-Ogden

BY CHAD DARE cdare@dancomnews.com The Commercial-News Thu May 22, 2014, 01:59 AM CDT

HOOPESTON There's an old saying about pitching and defense leading to victories in baseball.

But, that team also needs to score at least one run for that to happen.

On Wednesday afternoon in the IHSA Class 2A Hoopeston Area Regional, the Oakwood Comets had a pretty solid gameplan for the top-seeded St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans, the only problem no offense.

St. Joseph-Ogden senior right-hander Tyler McCormick struck out 11 as he tossed a two-hit shutout leading the Spartans to a 6-0 victory over the Comets.

"We have to be more aggressive with the ball in the strike zone,'' Oakwood coach Bob Sermak said. "We had six backwards Ks (called third strikes). That's the one thing that I'm probably the most disappointed about in this group, this year. We have harped on that more than anything, as far as a hitting approach, and we have continued to take called third strikes.

"You just can't do it. You have to be active with the ball in the zone.''

According to St. Joseph-Ogden coach Josh Haley, McCormick created his own energy as the start of Wednesday's regional semifinal was delayed for more than 90 minutes by a series of thunderstorms that moved through Vermilion County.

"I really thought the energy level was down and it was a different atmosphere,'' said Haley, a former head coach at Hoopeston Area. "But Tyler got things going as he was throwing donuts on the scoreboard, by getting ahead with his fastball and mixing in his curve ball.''

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Spartans blank Comets