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JPII baseball defeats Hillwood




Pope John Paul II’s Tyler Robertson, left, and Rocco Geritano celebrate their 7-1 victory over Hillwood Friday.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Tyler Robertson, left, and Rocco Geritano celebrate their 7-1 victory over Hillwood Friday.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Levi Waites jogged to the pitcher’s mound in the top of the sixth inning with no outs and the bases loaded. Hillwood High had already put one run on the board and was looking to cut even more into the Knights’ lead.

JPII starting pitcher Connor Kennard had just been chased from the game after a solid five innings of three-hit ball, but Hillwood was now looking to capitalize on the opportunity in front of them.

Waites, the unorthodox, submarine-throwing left-hander, stepped to the mound and calmly pitched his way out of the jam by immediately turning a double play and then pitching a scoreless seventh inning to help hold the lead and give Pope John Paul II a 7-1 victory over the visiting Hilltoppers.

“I’m used to those situations,” Waites said. “Honestly, I do better in worse situations than if I have a clean slate. It helps me focus in more. I usually get put in situations where they just need somebody to get some outs and that’s what I did. I came in, threw strikes and got the job done.”

Pope John Paul II players and coaches say a prayer together before Friday’s game against Hillwood.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II players and coaches say a prayer together before Friday’s game against Hillwood.Brett Berwager

Kennard, who’s typically brought in from the bullpen, was given the start after a tough three-game series against Ensworth, and Knights Head Coach Chris Parker was pleased with the performance by his two senior pitchers.

“In normal region games they’re two of our better relievers and we rely on them,” Parker said. “They get a lot of key outs for us and we’ll need them next week out of the bullpen. Kennard’s pitch count was down, so he was able to go deep into the ball game and a lot of times we’ll go with the lefty Waites behind him just to give people different looks and different arm angles.”

The pitching performance was also helped out by some key defensive plays in the field. The Knights recorded three outs at home plate and threw out a runner at third base, along with several double plays.

“We’ve overcome a lot of injuries and with the young guys stepping up this year, that’s one of things we’ve learned to hang our hats on,” Parker added. “We’ve played really good defense here lately and that’s why we’ve been able to win the last couple region series and it kind of showed off and paid today.”

Pope John Paul II starting pitcher Connor Kennard delivers a pitch against Hillwood.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II starting pitcher Connor Kennard delivers a pitch against Hillwood.Brett Berwager

Offensively, Pope John Paul II was aggressive on the base path and had several key hits, including a three-hit evening from Max Jackson and two from Kyler Oathout. Hillwood also had seven errors, giving Pope John Paul II an offensive advantage.

Hillwood was coming off an emotional win the night before over Nashville Christian, but couldn’t overcome the mistakes in the field against a tough team. Despite the loss, Head Coach Coby Ginsberg was proud of a solid pitching performance by Stephen McLaren, Khullun Avery, Andrew Spencer and Jackson Black.

“When you give up one earned run out of seven, that doesn’t usually translate to wins,” Ginsberg said. “We told them we have to forget about last night’s game and move to this game, and when you play a Chris Parker team, they’re going to be fundamental, they’re going to put the ball in play and you gotta make the plays. When you don’t, I mean bad things happen and that’s what led to the loss.”

Pope John Paul II’s Kyler Oathout catches a throw at second base.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Kyler Oathout catches a throw at second base.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Tyler Robertson throws to first base for an out.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Tyler Robertson throws to first base for an out.Brett Berwager

Hillwood's Jackson Black gets tagged out at homeplate by Pope John Paul II's Tyler Robertson.Brett Berwager

Hillwood’s Jackson Black gets tagged out at homeplate by Pope John Paul II’s Tyler Robertson.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II's Chet Lax catches a bat from his teammate Clay Deason.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Chet Lax catches a bat from his teammate Clay Deason.Brett Berwager

Hillwood’s Heath Nichols pulls his bat back while looking to lay down a bunt.Brett Berwager

Hillwood’s Heath Nichols pulls his bat back while looking to lay down a bunt.Brett Berwager

Hillwood's Heath Nichols sprints from the batters box while attempting to reach first base safely.Brett Berwager

Hillwood’s Heath Nichols sprints from the batters box while attempting to reach first base safely.Brett Berwager

Hillwood's Stephen McLaren fields the baseball with his barehand while attempting to record and out.Brett Berwager

Hillwood’s Stephen McLaren fields the baseball with his barehand while attempting to record and out.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II's Corbin Sweatt runs home to score a run.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Corbin Sweatt runs home to score a run.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II's Tyler Robertson sprints towards homeplate to score a run.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Tyler Robertson sprints towards homeplate to score a run.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Rocco Geritano, right, and Tyler Robertson celebrate at homeplate after scoring two runs.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Rocco Geritano, right, and Tyler Robertson celebrate at homeplate after scoring two runs.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s players celebrate together during Friday’s victory over Hillwood.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s players celebrate together during Friday’s victory over Hillwood.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Clay Deason attempts to lay down a bunt against Hillwood.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Clay Deason attempts to lay down a bunt against Hillwood.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Chet Lax steals third base as Hillwood’s Andrew Spencer catches the throw.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Chet Lax steals third base as Hillwood’s Andrew Spencer catches the throw.Brett Berwager

Hillwood's Bryce Garland sprints down the first base line while attempting to beat out a throw.Brett Berwager

Hillwood’s Bryce Garland sprints down the first base line while attempting to beat out a throw.Brett Berwager

Hillwood's Stephen McLaren gets tangled up with Pope John Paul II's Max Jackson after Jackson stole second base.Brett Berwager

Hillwood’s Stephen McLaren gets tangled up with Pope John Paul II’s Max Jackson after Jackson stole second base.Brett Berwager

Hillwood’s Khullun Avery gets congratulated by head coach Coby Ginsberg at the end of an inning.Brett Berwager

Hillwood’s Khullun Avery gets congratulated by head coach Coby Ginsberg at the end of an inning.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II's Rocco Geritano makes a running catch in the outfield along the right field line.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Rocco Geritano makes a running catch in the outfield along the right field line.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II's Max Jackson attempts to throw out a Hillwood player at first base.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Max Jackson attempts to throw out a Hillwood player at first base.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II's Max Jackson tags out Hillwood's Andrew Spencer at third base.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Max Jackson tags out Hillwood’s Andrew Spencer at third base.Brett Berwager

Hillwood's Josh Garcia throws to first base against Pope John Paul II.Brett Berwager

Hillwood’s Josh Garcia throws to first base against Pope John Paul II.Brett Berwager

Hillwood's Grady Shaw catches the throw at homeplate as he tags out Pope John Paul II's Clay Deason.Brett Berwager

Hillwood’s Grady Shaw catches the throw at homeplate as he tags out Pope John Paul II’s Clay Deason.Brett Berwager

Hillwood's Grady Shaw celebrates an out at homeplate against Pope John Paul II.Brett Berwager

Hillwood’s Grady Shaw celebrates an out at homeplate against Pope John Paul II.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Rocco Geritano dives back into first base safely on a pick-off attempt.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Rocco Geritano dives back into first base safely on a pick-off attempt.Brett Berwager

Hillwood’s Andrew Spencer delivers a pitch against Pope John Paul II Friday.Brett Berwager

Hillwood’s Andrew Spencer delivers a pitch against Pope John Paul II Friday.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Levi Waites delievers a pitch against Hillwood in the sixth inning Friday.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Levi Waites delievers a pitch against Hillwood in the sixth inning Friday.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Max Jackson celebrates a double at second base.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Max Jackson celebrates a double at second base.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Max Jackson tags out Hillwood’s Bryce Garland at homeplate to end Friday’s game.Brett Berwager

Pope John Paul II’s Max Jackson tags out Hillwood’s Bryce Garland at homeplate to end Friday’s game.Brett Berwager

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