Baseball defeats Blue Valley Northwest 2-1
Jaguars win their first EKL game at home
April 4, 2019
The baseball team won 2-1 against Blue Valley Northwest on Tuesday, April 2.
The Jaguars started off with senior Alex Kremer scoring from a RBI from senior Ethan Keopke in the bottom of the third inning. According to Keopke, the team felt confident going into the game.
“I think we played a clean game, but we have a lot to work on,” Keopke said. “We have a good team and we have the mindset that we can walk on the field and compete with any team in the state.”
In the bottom of the fifth inning, senior Cole Moore got an RBI allowing Isaac Ammann to score, putting the Jaguars in the lead with a score of 2-0.
“[Having the lead] does boost your confidence because you know you are playing with the lead,” Moore said. “It relaxes the defense as a whole.”
BVNW scored in the top of the sixth inning, making the score 2-1. Keopke then relieved junior Brandon Rader on the mound.
“I knew I was going to come in soon and that I had to come in and shut them down,” Keopke said. “I wasn’t worried when they put up the run because I knew my teammates had my back when I walked on the field.”
Although they came out on top, Moore and the rest of the team still faced challenges.
“We struggled a little bit at the plate,” Moore said. “When you’re struggling at the plate, you have to play great defense, which we did.”
According to Keopke, the success of BVNW’s pitcher caused the team to face adversity.
“They had a good pitcher,” Keopke said. “He pounded the zone the whole game and made it tough on our hitters.”
However, Moore believes the determination of the team caused them to end up on top.
“Both teams pitchers came out ready to play,” Moore said. “In games like that, it’s about who wants it the most.”
