The Newman Greenies were determined to change the script, and when it came down to crunch time, they relied on their ace.
Christian Sauska then came through with his bat and his incredibly talented right arm.
Limiting 15th-seeded Northlake Christian to one hit in a complete-game effort, Sauska also came through with a huge two-run single in the fifth to help propel the second-seeded Greenies to a 6-1 victory in Game 2 to sweep the best-of-three second-round Division III Select series at Avenger Park on Friday night.
Newman (24-6) not only won their 15 consecutive game and 19th of the past 20, but they advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time in 14 years.
“I think I have heard that a couple times that we haven’t made it past the second round,” Sauska said tongue in cheek. “To win this one means a lot. It’s a big hump to get past, but ultimately it’s not our goal.”
Their goal remains directly in front of them, and the win Friday sets up a quarterfinals series next weekend as a host – most likely May 1 and 2 – against 10th-seeded Notre Dame, which swept seventh-seeded St. Louis.
Playing at home helps, as the Greenies now have won 12 of their last 13 postseason games at quirky Avenger Field.
“This is a big win for us, just because it has been so long,” Coach Pat Adams said. “These kids have worked so hard. … I really like this team, and this year just feels different.”
Getting past this round wasn’t as easy as the score might make it sound.
Sauska was cruising along, and when he knocked in two with a two-out single to left-center, Newman took a 4-0 lead. The way he was pitching – having not yet allowed a hit and just one baserunner to that point – it seemed like it was over.
However, the Wolverines (21-12) had a lot of fight left in them. They sent seven men to the plate in the bottom of the fifth that lasted 31 minutes.
Eli Showmake and Ty Galloway reached on a walk and an error, respectively, AND catcher Evan Welch sacrificed them over. Eight-hole hitter Core Deggans singled in a run – which ended up being NLC’s only hit of the game – and Nathan Krone and Max Millett coaxed walks to load the bases with two outs.
Jonathan Lee then grounded out to second on a 3-1 pitch to end the threat.
Sauska then struck out four hitters in a row in the sixth and into the seventh for the win. When it was over, he said he would have been lying if he didn’t think for just a moment that each time he takes the mound now might be the last time for the Greenies.
“I try not to think about it, but before the game (catcher) Charles (Wilson) gave me the ball, and I said, ‘If this is it, it has been quite a ride,’ ” Sauska said. “It actually calmed me down. It’s hard not to think about how great it has been and it could be over at any second.”
LINESCORE
(2) Newman – 100 031 1 – 6 | 7 | 2
(15) Northlake – 000 010 0 – 1 | 1 | 3
TOP HITTERS
Newman (24-6): Benjamin Singer, 2-3, R, 2SB; Christian Sauska, 1-3, 2RBIs; Tanner Robert, 1-3, R, RBI, SB; Atticus LaFleur, 1-2, 2BB.
Northlake Christian (21-12): Core Deggans, 1-3, RBI.
DECIDING PITCHERS
WIN: Christian Sauska (7-1), 7IP, 1R, 1ER, 1H, 4BB, 9K.
LOSS: Stew Covey, 5IP, 4R, 3ER, 3H, 3BB, 5K.
WP: None. IBB: None. Pitches-strikes: Sauska 111-67; Covey 82-48; Mason Lampard 27-18. Weather at first pitch: 79, cloudy and windy. Time of game: 1:59.