Sebastian Hanks dug into the right-handed batter’s box, took two balls and a strike, and then finally swung the bat. After it connected with Lakeway Christian Academy pitch, it didn’t hit the ground until it had cleared the left field fence for a two-run homer. Hanks only helped his own cause on the mound, where he threw seven innings in Silverdale’s 14-3 win over the visitors.
“We were talking after the first game and we know how we can hit and perform, so we didn’t stress about it,” Hanks said about going down 0-3 early in that game.
The first game was much closer, decided by a 3-2 margin in favor of Silverdale.
Turner Junkins pitched a seven inning gem where he allowed three earned runs on only three hits, and drove in three of his teammates at the plate. It was a game played in a tornado watch, which meant the wind was blasting around the outfield.
After Junkins gave up one run in the first, Hanks’ solo shot equalized the score. In the very next inning, catcher Ian Reagan homered in what was a two-run inning for the Seahawks. But while Regan was no slouch with the bat, it was his ability to call a game and frame pitches that his pitching teammates really appreciated.
“He’s unbelievable, and whoever gets him is fortunate,” Hanks said. “I definitely look forward to having him behind the plate.”
Lakeway’s Colby White grounded out to Bryson Cline in the top of the fourth, which was enough to get his teammate across the plate. Lakeway could never muster another run after this, with Junkins and the formidable Seahawk defense behind him a step ahead. Pitcher Kyle Compton was a solid performer who went six and struck out 12.
The top of the sixth was Lakeway’s best chance at taking a lead, with runners on first and second with only one out. Junkins composed himself and struck out one before inducing a flyout to Brett Rogers in center to end the inning.
If that game was a nail-biter played in gloomy and windy conditions, the second was a different kind of breezy. Lakeway threw the first punch, which may surprise those who just saw the final score. After an error in left and a hit by White got two runners on, JJ Johnson came up to bat.
He smashed the ball out of the ballpark on a monstrous three-run shot off Hanks, one that gave Lakeway an early but sizable lead. The Seahawks did anything but fold, racking up 12 hits and 13 runs batted in. Two of those runs came in the first off a Rogers’ home run, and the other three came in the second off a Junkins ground ball and a Rogers single.
“That kid (Johnson) was squaring baseballs up all night, and knew they were going to punch back,” coach Lance Rorex said. “We put up a crooked number the next two innings that took pressure off Sebastian.”
It was a game for the long ball: Bryson Cline joined the fun in the top of the third after he hammered a baseball over the centerfield wall to drive in a couple more teammates and make it 8-3. Hanks ended up with a home run in both games.
Silverdale had figured out Lakeway’s pitching, and put up one more run in the fourth and five in the fifth to trigger the run rule. Meanwhile, Hanks cruised through the next four innings, ending his night with eight strikeouts and only one walk. Silverdale will hope for similar results in their next playoff game.
“Our energy always comes from our pitcher and the catcher, and if they’re good then we’ll be good behind them defensively,” coach Rorex said. “They set the tone.”
BOX SCORE GAME ONE:
LAKEWAY CHRISTIAN 100 100 0 - 2/8/1
SILVERDALE BAPTIST 120 000 X - 3/5/1
WP: JUNKINS
LP: COMPTON
BOX SCORE GAME TWO:
SILVERDALE BAPTIST 233 15X X - 14/12/2
LAKEWAY CHRISTIAN 300 000 0 - 3/4/2
WP: HANKS
LP: HARGIS
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