Published: May 09, 2009 09:37 pm      

Redskins beat Westview

By STU SWARTZ

Goshen News Sports Editor



So, where have these Goshen High School baseball Redskins been hiding?

Mired in a series of heartbreaking losses, the Redskins suddenly erupted Saturday at Phend Field and thumped a very good Westview Warrior squad 11-1 and 13-3 in a doubleheader.

Goshen had 30 hits in the two games, played errorless baseball and got complete-game pitching efforts from senior Ethan Hussey and sophomore Troy Pickard, both right-handers.

“Westview is a very good team, but it was just our day,” said Redskin head coach Hal Farmwald.

“This doubleheader comes at a tough time. Last year, we had SATs and lost two at their place. This year, the games fall on the day of Westview’s prom so I’m sure that’s tough on their kids.”

Goshen, 10-11, is back in action at home Monday against the NorthWood Panthers.

Westview coach Joel Mishler said, “I guess you could say we are not as good as some other people think, but we are not as bad as we think we are right now.

“Goshen just gave us a good old-fashioned kicking. The hit the ball hard all day, had two well-pitched games and there were a lot of plays we didn’t make.”

Hussey, after a shaky start in the opener, settling down to hurl a three-hitter with seven strikeouts and two walks.

Junior Carl Kay had three hits for the Redskins, Pickard, seniors Hussey, Brock Bender and Jeremy Jordan two each. Kay, Pickard and senior Brett Hunter each drove in two runs.

Bender is back in action after missing about 10 games with a shoulder ailment.

“You can’t underestimate what it means having Brock in the lineup,” said Farmwald. “Everything just sort of falls into place for us. We were 6-2 when he went out of the lineup.

“Carl Kay had a great day and we were able to play everyone in the doubleheader. I never would have imagined us having two complete games pitched either.”

Senior Jesse Schrock had an RBI single in the first inning of Game 1 for the Warriors.

Westview sophomore Zac Mishler had an RBI grounder in the first inning and a two-run single in the second of Game 2.

But, the Redskins kept right on hitting with Kay, Bender and Hunter each having three and Hussey two. Senior Evan Weeden had a three-run double, Hussey, Hunter and senior Cord Schmucker each two RBI.

Pickard scattered six hits, struck out four and walked three.

Mishler said, “We’ll just keep trying to get better every day. There will be days like this in baseball and this could make us better in the long run.”

Between games, former GHS coach DeVon Hoffman received the Northern Lakes Conference service award. Several of his players and former Redskin coach Ken Mirer were in attendance.

Farmwald said, “I have so much respect for coaches Hoffman and Mirer and what they have meant to this program. It pleases me that we would play so good with them here.”

Westview, 14-3, visits Fremont on Monday.