Scoring 13 runs on any given day is an impressive feat in and of itself, but when it's accomplished while collecting just nine hits, there's usually a specific quality responsible for producing such an imbalance in the box score – patience at the plate.
Kickapoo had plenty of it on Thursday.
Despite traditionally embracing a rather zealous approach on offense, the Chiefs (9-3, 2-0 conference) drew nine walks over four innings this time around – helping the home squad march to a 13-3 victory via the run-rule over the Lebanon Yellowjackets (8-3, 2-1 conference).
“We're usually an aggressive team and like to hit that first-pitch fastball,” Kickapoo senior Preston Keisker said. “When we don't get it, we are very disciplined. We've had a lot of walks the last few games and we've just been really good about not swinging at balls and getting our pitch to hit.”
Seven of Lebanon's nine walks occurred before an out was even recorded in the third inning, which ultimately led starting pitcher Cory Dudley to throw 63 pitches by the time his short stint on the mound was through.
Kendrick Tiller and Cody Lundgren, who were primarily able to find the plate, didn't fare much better for the Yellowjackets in relief – combining for seven hits and five earned runs the rest of the way after Dudley was pulled when the first three Chiefs reached base in the third frame.
“With a team of the caliber of Kickapoo, when you do that, they're going to take advantage of it and that's exactly what Kickapoo did,” Lebanon head coach Dustin Young said. “We struggled on the mound, struggled to find the strike zone and Kickapoo was able to take advantage of it. They're a good club.”
Five different Kickapoo batters were able to bring in runs on Thursday, but none answered the call better than shortstop Preston Keisker, who went 3-for-4 with four RBIs in the win.
“I felt like I had good bat control and bat speed today,” Keisker said. “I was seeing the ball well. I was just really comfortable today.”
While Lebanon pitchers were having trouble finding any sort of success, the story was much different for Kickapoo hurler Adam Link.
Link, who does not pitch with overpowering velocity, was able to locate his pitches effectively to let the defense behind him make easy plays despite the presence of a strong wind that was blowing from left to right all game long.
“As much as the wind is blowing these days, I think we're getting used to playing in it,” Kickapoo head coach Jason Howser said, laughing. “[Link] was able to overcome that and pitch to contact.”
The junior starter yielded a pair of RBI singles to Tanner Angst and Luke Winfrey in the top of the fifth,
but got Dudley to ground into a double play to seal the ten-run win.
“I thought he got sloppy there late, but it can tend to happen in games like that as well,” Howser added of Link. “It was good to see him attack the zone.”
Kickapoo faces Collinsville (Okla.) in the first round of the Claremore Tournament on Friday. Lebanon returns home to play Hillcrest on Tuesday.
