Silver lining in Panther slump
By Larry Peterson
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lpeterson@crestonnews.com
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| Seniors recognized for five years in the Creston High School baseball program at Sunday's team banquet are Seth Pals, left, and Tyler Coenen. Not pictured: Travis Kipp, Tyler Pettit and Jackson Foreman. (CNA photo by LARRY PETERSON) |
It seemed like a collapse.
The Creston baseball team, with a preseason goal of improving to a .500 record this year, was sitting poised for that mark at 11-12 on July 6.
Then a losing streak in which the Panthers yielded 97 runs in seven games concluded an 11-19 season, including a 9-2 district tournament loss to Perry.
But, at the team's postseason banquet Sunday at Creston High School, coach Steve Birchard said he saw an encouraging sign during that district game, which was deadlocked 2-2 through four innings behind a solid pitching performance by sophomore Brad Nauman.
"In the first inning, they hit a ball to left field," Birchard related. "Travis Kipp was doing what he should be doing, going to get the ball. He made a diving attempt. Ben Landers in center field recognized that Travis had a shot at making the play, but it was going to be a diving shot. So, Ben realized he had to be there as a backup, to try to keep it to a single.
"That's what we're all capable of, doing the things we know how to do, and going after it hard all of the time," Birchard said. "That's what baseball is all about, looking for something to do when the ball is hit. If you are standing around, then something's wrong. I want our program to move to the next level by making those kind of plays every time."
Creston went 8-10 for seventh place in the Hawkeye 10 Conference, a half-game behind a Denison-Schleswig team that was unable to make up its 18th conference game against Shenandoah. The Panthers swept the Monarchs in a league doubleheader, but by finishing behind them in the standings, received one fewer all-conference nominee.
For more on this story see the July 26 edition of the Creston News Advertiser.
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