August 05, 2024

Timberwolves and Eagles collide in physical districts game

By CHEYENNE ROCHE
Southwest Valley runner Ethan Bruce collides with East Union catcher Logan Findley as he heads for home plate and Findley goes for the ball. The Timberwolves won the physical matchup in a 10-1 upset.

Southwest Valley runner Ethan Bruce collides with East Union catcher Logan Findley as he heads for home plate and Findley goes for the ball. The Timberwolves won the physical matchup in a 10-1 upset. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

AFTON — The Timberwolves (11-15) continue their Cinderella story in District 16, winning a second upset, this one against East Union Tuesday, to advance to Saturday’s district finals in Bedford.

“This team has been a hard fighting team all season, and it’s been coming out even more these last two games,” Timberwolves coach Keegan Longabaugh said. “These games were revenge games. Now we have one against Bedford on Saturday.”

The last time Southwest Valley and East Union met, the Timberwolves rallied in the seventh inning to score six runs and force overtime. The Eagles prevailed in a narrow 12-11 victory.

Southwest Valley senior Roman Keefe catches a throw from Beau Johnston to get East Union pinch-runner Omar Lara out at second base on a single grounder by Logan Findley.

Southwest Valley senior Roman Keefe catches a throw from Beau Johnston to get East Union pinch-runner Omar Lara out at second base on a single grounder by Logan Findley. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

Tuesday the Timberwolves took an early lead and never looked back, winning 10-1.

The game was physical from the start, collisions between the two teams happening nearly every inning as the players fought to stay alive in the postseason.

East Union first baseman Braden Kelley is hit by Southwest Valley runner Gavin Wetzel as he attempted to field the ball at first. There were numerous collisions throughout the game including Timberwolves’ Braden Maeder somersaulting out of bounds after a crash on his way to first base.

East Union first baseman Braden Kelley is hit by Southwest Valley runner Gavin Wetzel as he attempted to field the ball at first. There were numerous collisions throughout the game including Timberwolves’ Braden Maeder somersaulting out of bounds after a crash on his way to first base. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

East Union responded to the two runs Southwest Valley put up in the top of the first with a single by Fischer Buffington to drive in a run from Austin Lack. It was the last time they would score as the batters increasingly struggled facing Timberwolves pitcher Isaac Currin.

Currin pitched a complete game, striking out 10 batters, walking one and allowing only one run.

The Eagles were able to get eight hits in on Currin, Buffington and Ty Tallmon going 2-3 at bat, but runners were stranded as Currin knocked down his opponents.

Eagles first baseman Braden Kelley catches a foul fly ball for an out.

Eagles first baseman Braden Kelley catches a foul fly ball for an out. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

“It’s been the tale of the season,” Longabaugh said. “When we throw strikes and field well behind, things will go well. Isaac was feeling it on the mound, and we gave ourselves chances at the plate.”

The entire offense performed for the Timberwolves, eight different batters earning runs. Senior Owen Paul and freshman Brody Crozier each went 2-4 at bat for one run.

Southwest Valley senior Isaac Currin runs to third while East Union third basemanFischer Buffington dives for the ball.

Southwest Valley senior Isaac Currin runs to third while East Union third basemanFischer Buffington dives for the ball. (CNA photo by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

Senior Ethan Bruce and eighth-grader Wyatt Shires each had two runs.

East Union senior Seth Hudson pitched five innings, throwing six strikeouts. Senior Austin Lack pitched two, throwing three strikeouts.

The Eagles graduate three this year - Lack, Hudson and Rason Grail. Coach Nate McCollough has had two years with Grail but coached Lack and Hudson since sixth grade.

“These three hold a special place in my heart for several reasons,” he said. “They stuck it out through the tough years and kept the same mindset through it all. They showed up every day ready to go. Seth and Austin showed up every Sunday from January through April all five years of their high school careers to throw their bullpens.”

Lack and Hudson are both East Union season and career record holders in multiple offensive and pitching categories.

“They led us to our first 10-win season in the Bound era last season. This season they led us to our first record over .500, a two-seed in districts, our first time hosting district games, our first district win, a 16-7 record and a tie for second place in POI standings,” McCollough said. “In 10 years, when we look back at what we hope and expect to be sustained success of East Union baseball, we’ll know the foundation of that success lies with this 2024 team and especially this group of seniors.”

The three will leave the Eagles as the winningest trio of seniors from East Union in the Bound era.

The Timberwolves and the Bulldogs play in Bedford Saturday for the District 16 title. The winner plays against the Tri-Center vs. Lenox winner Tuesday in Atlantic for a spot in the state tourney.

Cheyenne Roche

CHEYENNE ROCHE

Originally from Wisconsin, Cheyenne has a journalism and political science degree from UW-Eau Claire and a passion for reading and learning. She lives in Creston with her husband and their two little dogs.