By Donald Heath
Special for the Effingham Herald
SPRINGFIELD – Wouldn’t you know it. Effingham County blended strong pitching, timely hitting and aggressive baserunning into a three-game sweep of Lakeside last week.
It was the first time all season the Rebels could boast of such a complete performance. Unfortunately, it was their final series of the baseball season.
“If we had a series like this three or four weeks ago, things might be different today,” ECHS coach Eric McCombie said. “We’d probably be getting prepared for the playoffs next week.”
Instead, the Rebels (10-20, 6-12 Region 2-6A) finished in fifth place in the seven-team region and failed to advance to postseason play for the second straight year.
Inexperience, injuries and under-performance played key factors in the disappointing season. McCombie trotted out three juniors with little experience to pitch the three-game series during the region season and had varying success. The Rebels hoped all-region performer Caden Kessler would be their starter, but injuries limited the righthander to designated hitter and first base duties.
Adam Acel, who was penciled in to get playing time as a utility infielder, suffered a broken elbow and played about one third of the season.
ECHS was uncharacteristically weak defensively and before the Lakeside series, the Rebels struggled offensively as well, averaging less than three runs a game in region play.
Against Evans, the Rebels committed 13 errors in the series.
“There are games like that all over the place,” McCombie said.
Thursday’s doubleheader sweep – 13-2 and 10-0 – was a reprieve. Kessler and Nate Hayes were honored on Senior Night and each received a nice ovation when they left the nightcap in the middle of the final inning.
Hayes made a sensational catch in center field in the opener then ripped a single to left to help build a five-run third inning in the second game. It was Hayes’ first varsity hit of the season.
Kessler doubled in both games and drove in two runs.
“This was definitely a good night for the seniors Caden and Nate. They deserved it,” McCombie said.
It was a good night for all. Seventeen of the 18 starters in the two games reached base at least once. ECHS’ scoring ended on Bryson Horton’s mammoth home run.
McCombie substituted liberally and the list of heroes was long. Starting pitchers Luke Edwards and Dylan Huntley both struck out nine while picking up wins.
“We had a lot of inexperienced players out there,” McCombie said. “They got a lot of experience this year so hopefully going forward, we’ll be better. They’ve already talked about getting prepared for next year on Monday.
“Maybe this (sweep of Lakeside) will give them a boost. It’s proof they can get it done. We’ll be senior-heavy next year and the expectation will be to take the next step forward. I know mine are.”
