by Malcolm Butler
Kade Luker struck out 13 batters but Cedar Creek couldn’t overcome six errors as the Cougars fell 5-2 to Glenbrook on the road in the first game of a three-game series that will determine the District 1-1A champion.
Glenbrook recorded just three hits against Creek hurlers but scored four unearned runs to take the 1-0 series advantage.
“Basically boiled down to the team that made the least amount of mistakes,” said Creek head coach Chad Yates. “Small game played a factor. We didn’t handle the ball on defense very well tonight. That is evident with six errors.”
Glenbrook took an early 1-0 lead as a leadoff double in the bottom of the first eventually resulted in a run after a throwing error by Luker allowed the Apache to score the first run of the ballgame.
The Apache added two more runs in the bottom of the third inning as the Cougars committed three errors during a four-batter stretch.
Cedar Creek fought back in the top of the fourth inning. Brett Bell walked and then courtesy runner Eli Slocum scored on a throwing error on a bunt by Kaleb Negrotto. After a Micah Taylor bunt single moved Negrotto to third, Negrotto crossed the plate on a throwing error by the Apache to cut the deficit to 3-2.
Creek put runners on the corners with two outs, but couldn’t plate a third run in the frame.
Luker continued to dominate on the mound, but the Apache added another unearned run in the bottom of the fifth.
“Luker pitched well enough to give us a chance and keep us in the game,” said Yates. “Easton Sanders was tough. When he had to reach back for that little extra, he did.”
Sanders, a LA Tech commit, was also stellar on the mound. He allowed just two unearned runs on two hits and three walks while striking out 11 in the win.
Trailing 5-2 in the sixth, the Cougars had one last chance with a runner on third with two outs, but a diving play on a line drive off the bat of Aidan Crosby was caught by the Glenbrook second baseman ending the threat.
Sanders struck out the side in the seventh.
The two teams will play Game 2 (and Game 3 if necessary) today at Cedar Creek. First pitch is at 4:30 p.m.
“We’ll look to bounce back tomorrow and hopefully play better baseball,” said Yates.
