Wildcats Capitalize Against the Thunderbirds
Bellevue West's season is still alive and the Thunderbirds will play against one-seeded Millard South tomorrow, May 19th, at 1 pm.
By News Channel NebraskaLINCOLN- After scoring more than four runs in 28 of the possible 37 games played this season, the Bellevue West Thunderbirds are experiencing something they haven't dealt with all season—a run shortage.
In the first round of the Nebraska Class A state tournament, the Thunderbirds were in a pitching duel against seven-seeded Archbishop Bergan. Bellevue West took nine innings to break the stalemate with the Knights, winning 1-0 in extras.
The second round, the Thunderbirds were met with the three-seeded Lincoln East Spartans. This matchup featured one more run for Bellevue West than the previous, but two runs was more than what head coach Jason Shockey was looking for.
The Thunderbirds shifted their focus—and bats—to their next opponent, the defending state champs, Millard West. Although Millard West is the defending state champs, the Wildcats came into the tournament as the five-seed in Class A. Millard West responded by facing off against the one-seed Millard South in the second round and squeaked by 4-3.
Off of a win against the overall one-seed, Millard West was swinging a hot bat coming into Tuesday's game.
In the bottom of the second, junior Avery Moore reached base with a leadoff triple and was hit home by first basemen, Corbin Hawkins in the next at bat.
Millard West tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning with a two-out rally. Junior pinch-hitter Rice Whitaker hit home one run for the Wildcats, while senior Kyan Lodice drove in another.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Thunderbirds showed signs of life by scoring a run from a passed ball by Wildcats pitcher Sam Novotny.
Novotny would have the last laugh against the Bellevue West batters though, as he pitched all seven innings, allowing only three hits and one walks while striking out seven.
Five-seeded Millard West advances to play three-seeded Lincoln East tomorrow, May 19th, at 10 am at Haymarket Park.
Two-seeded Bellevue West keeps their season alive, but is now in "win or go home" mode. The Thunderbirds will play one-seeded Millard South tomorrow, May 19th, at 1 pm at Haymarket Park.
Bellevue West played Millard South just days after Millard West, and lost to the Patriots 7-3 in Omaha.
Pre-game will be on B103 starting at 12:45 with a rolling schedule of first pitch at 1 pm from Lincoln.