Kameron Bates had a day for Springfield against Churchill. Bates went 4 for 4 with a two run dinger. The 11-7 win put Springfield ahead of Churchill by five games with four to play, thus earning the Millers a playoff spot. This years trip to state will be the Miller's first playoff appearance since 2000.
The Millers next goal has to be to win an outright league title. The next step to the title for the Millers is to go on the road and beat crosstown rival Thurston this Wednesday. Springfield won the first two by scores of 11-8 and 6-2, so the Millers own the tiebreaker. But it is a lot different at the end of the season to be a co-champion with the first seed via tiebreaker, than to be the outright champion.
I was at the Thurston-North Eugene game last night where Thurston's shortstop and pitcher Tyler Johnson was hurt at second trying to turn a double play. Hopefully, the injury won't keep him out of the playoffs. I don't have any information from Thurston, but Johnson getting helped off of the field by teammates isn't indicative of being a starter against Springfield tomorrow. Dawson Phinney pitched five innings last night for Thurston, so Phinney probably won't be used as a starter tomorrow (Wednesday). Does coach Dube put the ball in the hands of frosh Kyle Watson? Or perhaps senior Jordan Loos? Maybe junior Austin Parrett or bring someone up from JV's?
Personally, I was hoping for a Kameron Bates - Tyler Johnson pitching matchup. But now my interest will be to see if the Thurston group can pull together in baseball like they did in football when they weathered some injuries late in the season. This game might be a little like the first Springfield - Thurston game this year - high scoring. Springfield got out in front and seemed to be cruising, but Thurston pulled within three in an 11-8 Miller victory. Springfield's coach Lansdon and Thurston coach Dube both have offenses that can hit with power and bunt you to death. If it is high scoring, I hope the wind stays down so I don't freeze taking pictures over a long period of time.
Churchill's shot at the playoffs are getting slim. A Lancer loss to Willamette Wednesday, combined with a North Eugene win over Marshfield knocks the Lancers out of the playoffs. (The Wolverines beat the Lancers in round 2, 9-6.) But there is still hope. Churchill is down three games to third place North Eugene with four games to go. The Lancers have to close the gap with North to one game by their league season finale against North Eugene. Churchill and North Eugene are even as far as the tiebreaker goes. Both teams won one head to head game, 1-0. I'm guessing the Willamette-Churchill game will be high scoring on both sides.
North Eugene hosts Marshfield. Marshfield's Elliot Aurdahl has the Pirates only two wins, and he pitched Monday. So the Highlanders will see someone else. The Pirates have given up just one run in each of the last two games and have been getting some good outings from some frosh and sophomore pitchers. It'll take a great outing for Marshfield to beat North. North Eugene has given up just 1.8 runs per game over all 11 league games. That stellar performance includes two shutouts and five games holding the opponents to just one run.
So it looks like we may know the playoff teams after Wednesday's games or maybe not until next Wednesday. I hope the drama drags on a little longer.
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