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WIAA baseball: Abbotsford bumps off Assumption

Abbotsford unleashed a dose of double trouble early and it proved to be the right move for the defending WIAA Division 4 state baseball champs.

The Falcons used a delayed steal and converted a couple key double plays en route to a 4-2 victory over Assumption in a Division 4 sectional semifinal game on Tuesday afternoon at Witter Field.

Abbotsford went on to clinch its fourth straight trip to the state tournament next week in Appleton by beating Tigerton 5-0 in the sectional title game.

A pair of double plays, one in the first inning and another in the third, ended Assumption threats with runners in scoring position.

When Abbotsford was on offense, a delayed double steal in the bottom of the first inning got the Falcons on the scoreboard.

" We work on the double steal quite a bit and we do it a few different ways," Abbotsford coach Larry Soyk said. " It's tough to defend and we usually score on it."

But it took the Falcons three tries to get the run across the plate.

Jory Podevels slid under Dan Salewski's tag to finally get a run on the board.

" They tried three different ways to run that steal and we defended it well," Assumption coach Mike Schulte said. " We just didn't make the play at the plate."

The Royals took the Marawood Conference regular season meeting between the teams 4-3, also at Witter Field, and that was in the back of the Falcons' minds.

" We knew we were facing a good pitcher and a solid team today," Soyk said. " We knew we would have to play a solid game to beat them and we did."

Abbotsford tacked on a couple more in the second inning and rode the lead for the duration.

" We still thought we could come back even when we were down 4-0," Assumption pitcher Tyler Hafermann said. " It was early and we've come back a lot this year in games."

And Assumption did chip away at the advantage.

In the fourth inning, Andy Joosten scored to put the Royals on the scoreboard.

The Royals made a run at the Falcons again in the seventh inning. After Salewski doubled to center field Ben Kinzel's infield single with two outs brought in Salewski.

Salewski's double prompted Abbotsford's coach to pull starting pitcher Jordan Soyk for his cousin, staff ace and Marawood Conference North Division player of the year Jamie Soyk.

Jordan Soyk earned the win by fanning five, walking four and scattering four hits.

A hard line drive hit by Alex Walczak was snagged by Podevels at first base to end the threat and the game.

" I didn't know what to expect at the beginning of the year, so I'm happy with what we accomplished this year," Hafermann said.

The Royals placed third in the Marawood Conference South Division, won a regional title and appeared in their first WIAA sectional tournament.

" I'm proud of our guys," Schulte said. " They are as competitive as anyone else and even though they are disappointed now, they had a great season."

Falcons 4, Royals 2

Assumption 000 100 1 -- 2 6 2

Abbotsford 220 000 x -- 4 4 2

WP--Jordan Soyk. LP--Tyler Hafermann. SO--Hafermann 6; Jo.Soyk 5, Jamie Soyk 1. BB--Hafermann 3; Jo.Soyk 4, Ja.Soyk 1. 2B--Assumption, Dan Salewski; Abbotsford, Jory Podevels.

Records: Assumption 15-7; Abbotsford 15-3.