By Kyle Gregory
Westlake Picayune Contributing Writer
The Westlake baseball team remains alive in the bidistrict playoffs following a come-from-behind 4-3 victory Friday night over visiting Cedar Ridge.
“One of the most intense games I’ve been in in my life – without doubt,” Westlake’s Gordy Taylor said. “Coach has been saying, ‘Someone’s going home and it better not be us.’”
The Chaps were in a tight spot – down one in the final inning – but some timely hitting and smart baserunning earned Westlake the win and forced a third game Saturday.
Cedar Ridge struck first in the contest, scoring in the top of the third. Derek Ramos reached on an error and made his way to third on a steal and a groundout. Another groundout scored him and put the Raiders ahead 1-0.
Westlake answered in the bottom of the same inning. Carson Spencer launched a leadoff double off the centerfield wall and reached third on a Taylor bunt single. Spencer then scored on an Aaron Black groundout to knot up the game.
Cedar Ridge regained the lead in the top of the fifth. Westlake pitcher Paul Kirkpatrick retired the first two batters of the inning before allowing a single to Ryan Klimovitz. He then worked Grant Klumpp to a full count but Klumpp won the battle, blasting a ball over the wall to score two runs and give Cedar Ridge the 3-1 lead.
The Chaps relied on a little subterfuge in their bid to claw back into the game. In the bottom of the fifth, Zach Suarez delivered another leadoff double and scampered to third on a groundout. Gordy Taylor walked and Westlake coach Jeff Montgomery took a gamble. Taylor intentionally took an extra-large lead off of first, baiting a throw down. As Taylor kept the Raiders occupied, Suarez bolted home, scoring before Taylor was tagged out to end the inning.
“We kind of put the hoo-doo voo-doo on them,” Montgomery said. “We just want to try and come back in there and get as much as we can. I’m sitting back thinking to myself that if we can get this run here it gets us closer and, these guys, the closer they get the hungrier they get.”
Kirkpatrick struck out the next four batters he faced in a row and held Cedar Ridge to a one-run lead.
“Paul is Paul. I tell you, I’ve never seen a cooler-headed guy,” Montgomery said. “I think there in the top of the seventh he was throwing harder than any of them. He just wanted to seal the deal.”
With only three outs between them and elimination, the Chaps came up big in the final inning. Alex Cabezas led off with single and Suarez followed him on base when he was hit by a pitch. Spencer singled on a bunt to load the bases. Westlake’s next batter flew out, bringing up the left-handed Taylor. Taylor laid down a bunt to the left side, while Cabezas hustled home. Not only did Cabezas score to tie the game, but also Taylor reached safely as well, earning his second bunt single.
“I’ve been working on my bunting for as long as I can remember and I have complete confidence in everyone around me,” Taylor said. “I knew Cabezas saw the sign and I knew he would beat it out because he’s fast as lightning. I couldn’t abandon him, I had to get the ball down.”
With only one out and the bases loaded, Black stepped in with a chance to win the game. He worked the count full and finally knuckled a ball past the pitcher. Cedar Ridge got the out at second, but it didn’t matter. Suarez dashed home and won the game.
“These guys, that’s their biggest strength and sometimes it can be their biggest weakness – the coolness that they have out here,” Montgomery said, “but when they turn it on and get to focus, the better they are at what they do.”
Kirkpatrick pitched a complete game, allowing two earned runs on four hits. He struck out eight and walked two. Kirkpatrick didn’t allow any walks after the first inning.
“I had shoulder problems earlier in the week and I wish I could have pitched game one, but it definitely felt better today – thanks to our trainer,” Kirkpatrick said.
Taylor was 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. Spencer finished 2-for-3 with a double. Cabezas was also 2-for-3. Black was 0-for-3 with a walk, but accounted for two of Westlake’s RBI.
Westlake is the only playoff team from District 15-5A to avoid being swept in the bi-district round. The Chaps return to Cedar Ridge Saturday to face the Raiders in the rubber match.
“Coming off of this momentum, I definitely like our chances tomorrow,” Kirkpatrick said.