Raiders fall in Sectional Finals to O-A, 3 to 2
7th inning Hornet comeback dooms Raiders
5 June 2009

   Coach Todd Walker’s words would prove prophetic when he spoke to me early in the contest, stating, "You’re going to need more than two runs to beat this team." The exceptional 2009 Raider baseball season came to an abrupt ending as the number two seeded Oakfield-Alabama Hornets broke through for two runs in the top of the 7th inning, stunning the top seeded Raiders, 3 to 2.

   In a pressure packed contest at Batavia’s Dwyer Field, both teams’ battle each other all night long as neither team could manage to put any distance from its’ opponent.

   The Raiders did appeared to have the game in hand entering the final at bat for O-A as Cal-Mum held a slim 2 to 1 lead. Raider’s starting pitcher, Eli Beard was facing the facing the 6th, 7th and 8th batters in the Hornet lineup. First up for O-A was Jon Harris, who was thrown out at first base by Raiders’ second baseman, Kevin Keenan. Cal-Mum was now two outs away from a Sectional championship. Next up, Chris Mans lined a two-strike pitch to right field, putting him at first base. DH Jim Johnson then worked Eli Beard for a walk, putting Hornet runners on 1st and 2nd. The crushing blow would come off the bat of Nathan Klos whose hard grounder to second base took a bad hop over the infielders’ heads and ended up in short center field. The wild hop and subsequent landing position between the CM infield and outfield gave the two Hornet base runners just enough time to race around the bases, beating the throw into home.

   The Hornets took the early 1 to 0 lead in the 1st inning. Cal-Mum would answer in the 2nd inning when a Mike Anderson’s single was followed by an O-A error which allowed Matt Heins to reach 1st base. Cody Hammond’s long single to right field would bring home both Anderson and Heins for a 2 to 1 Raider lead.

   This was to be the last time the Raiders would cross the plate. The Raiders had a couple of good scoring opportunities in the game that just did not work out to the Raiders’ advantage. Early in the contest, Cody Hammond was thrown out at the plate, trying to score from 3rd base. The second, and possibly the turning point of the contest came in the bottom of the 4th inning. The Raiders had chased the Hornets starting pitcher, Noah Seward, after Seward gave up a single to Mike Anderson, a sacrifice out by Matt Heins followed by two walks that he issued to Jordan Sheldon and Cody Hammond. Looking at one-out and bases loaded situation, Hornets Coach Dan Gilbert called upon AJ Kehlinbeck to stop the Raider rally. Kehlinbeck forced Regis Pollard to hit a ground ball, which O-A second baseman Jon Harris fielded and threw to home for the force out of Anderson. Dave Aurand then fouled off several Kehinnbeck pitches, before being called out on strikes, ending the Raider threat.

   The Raiders were obviously very disappointed after the game had concluded. In time, the game will be put into its proper context. It is often said that a game does not a season, make. This young Raider team exceeded all expectations as they finished the season with a stellar 18-3 record. The 2009 Raiders have much reason to be proud. They have brought this perennial baseball power back to its accustomed place, near the top of Section V Class CC baseball. This is the first year back to the sectional finals after a one-year hiatus. The Raiders, in fact, have played in 6 of the past 7 Sectional Championship games. This year’s team will be remembered for how they played with heart and had a swagger that comes from the strength of being such a close knit group, this all hearkens back to, "The Team Concept." Great year Raiders, there is truly, much to be proud of!

   The 2009 Class CC championship game marked the end of the high school careers for seniors: Matt Heins, Kevin Pullyblank, Dave Aurand and Dave Nasradinaj. Thank-you guys for you efforts and dedication to Cal-Mum sports. Good luck wherever your future takes you and as always remember, "Once a Raider, always a Raider."

   The 2010 edition of Cal-Mum Baseball has the potential to be a special group. They will be loosing only two starting players off this year’s squad, an outfielder and a DH. Work hard, keep focused and stay close together. For next year, it will be your opportunity to take the next step up the Sectional ladder. Go Raiders!