Summit’s Sticks Lead Them to District Tourney Win

The first time Summit got the bases juiced was the bottom of the third.

 Trailing 2-1, Ethan Kuehl stepped to the plate and pulled a fly ball deep to right that just disappeared over the wall for the grand slam and the Spartans were back on top 5-4.

“I was just thinking, get the sac fly and get the RBI in.” The lefty said. “I thought it was a well hit ball, but I didn’t think it was going to go out, it just kind of carried a little bit for me.”

Summit took advantage of another bases loaded situation in the bottom of the

fifth. This time it was Will Dalton clearing the bases. His line drive barely stayed in-between the lines and rolled all the way to left field wall.Three runs would score, Dalton would end up standing at second and the Spartans had blown the game open, 8-4 to cruise the rest of the way to a District 11 Tournament victory.

Like many teams have done all season, Independence refused to pitch to Dale Burdick several times and instead throw to the guy behind him in the lineup, Will Dalton and Dalton made them pay.

“I really like it because it gives me the opportunity to get more RBI’s.” The Junior said.

Dale Burdick led off the bottom of the first with a solo shot on the first pitch the Spartans saw Monday afternoon tying the game at one as the liner soared over the left field fence. Indy would take the lead back in third inning with a 2-out double to right that gave the Eagles a 2-1 lead.

The only other point of the game where it appeared Indy had a real chance came in the top of the fourth. Timothy Wright smacked one to the opposite field where Will Dalton, made a great effort and nearly came up with an improbable catch. The ball tipped off his glove and into the wall allowing a run to score and Wright to reach third with a triple.

On the next at bat, Dalton made the big play. He caught a low fly ball and threw out Wright who was trying to tag-up and score from third ending the inning.

“In this situation where it’s win or go home, you just try to do your best. We’ve got guys who are hurt, guys who are sore and I thought we did a good job.”

With the win, Summit will play Brentwood at 4:30 tomorrow.

You can see full highlights of this game next Monday on our weekly segment, “The First Four.”