With junior ace Mike Rahrig throwing a dominant game Monday night, Jefferson took a big step in trying to become a league power with a 5-1 victory over the Knights at Wildcat Field.
“Mike was outstanding again. He just keeps getting better and better,” Jefferson coach Troy Montenery began. “He’s always had good stuff. The biggest difference this season is the mental approach. If he gives up a hit, for example, he doesn’t dwell on it; he refocuses — seemingly even more so — and attacks the next batter.”
The Wildcats honored players’ parents prior to the game.
Rahrig (5-1, 4 hits, 1 earned run, 1 free pass, 12 strikeouts) went the distance on 92 pitches (69 for strikes).
“He was the difference. Along with his fastball, his changeup and curve are so effective,” Crestview head man Jim Wharton began. “His breaking ball breaks so late to begin with; if he’s hitting the outside corner, it’s very tough for a batter to do much with it.”
The Knights (11-5, 4-2 NWC) did score first in the first. With one out, Ian Clay had a wind-aided double to deep right, followed by a 2-baser to deep center by Tony Burger for the visitors’ only tally. Burger did get to third on a bounceout by Kyle Balliet but Jordan Gibson fanned to end the inning.
The Wildcats (12-6, 5-3 NWC) looked to rally against Clay, getting Sean Fisher to third with a 1-out double to the fence in center and a groundout by Sean Miller (2-for-3) but he was left stranded.
Crestview got a leadoff double to the fence in left by Tony Springer in the second and a comebacker by Goings got him to third but Rahrig got out of the inning unfazed.
The hosts took the lead for good in the home half. Aaron Schuerman’s liner up the middle found outfield grass. Matt Gerdeman’s single to right put runners on the corners. Gerdeman (2-for-3) took off for second on a steal and drew the throw, getting tagged out, but Schuerman sped home to knot the score at 1. An out hence, Damon Joseph (2-for-3) blooped a hit to right center, stole second and touched home base via a drive to center by Taylor Hesseling for a 2-1 lead.
Jefferson got a leadoff double down the left-field line by Miller in the third. An out later, Schuerman walked to finish Clay and bring in ace Briggs Orsbon. Gerdeman forced Schuerman at second, putting runners on the corners, but they were left there.
In the next two frames, Crestview got a runner to second with one out: Gibson on an error and passed ball in the fourth and Mo Sarka on a double down the left-field line in the next inning; but Rahrig twice struck out the next two batters.
The Red and Black got three huge insurance runs to put it away in the fifth. With one out, consecutive doubles to left by Miller and Adam Kraning scored one. Schuerman walked. Gerdeman then knocked them both in with a double off the fence in left; he hesitated around second and was tagged out for the second out.
“I like how we’re playing defense. Mike throws strikes and that keeps us on our toes,” Montenery continued. “I also like how we keep putting pressure on our opponent’s defense. We’re getting good at-bats and are really driving the ball well.”
Wharton concurred.
“We knew they could hit the ball coming in. They do a particularly good job of going to the right side,” he added. “They also have decent speed, which they use well. That puts a lot of pressure on your pitchers to make good pitches and your defense to come up with plays. It’s hard to do that when they’re finding gaps.”
Crestview’s final chance came in the seventh when Ian Zollars walked with two down but Rahrig finished it with his 12th “K”, setting down Sarka.
“What a big win for this program against one of the better ones in the NWC year after year. We could face them later on in the tournament, too — they are the No. 1 seed at Convoy and we’re No. 2 — so it’s good to know we match up well with them,” Montenery added.
Jefferson welcomes in Wayne Trace today; Crestview heads to Bath Wednesday
