Sandelovic no-hits Bartlett in Shiner win
Monday, May 14, 2012
by Jason Chlapek, The Gonzales Inquirer
Gonzales Inquirer Article | Shiner Comanche Baseball | Shiner Home Page
A month ago, Ky Sandelovic came up one strike short of a no-hitter in the Shiner baseball team’s 11-1 win over Flatonia April 13.
Shiner pitcher Ky Sandelovic struck out 12 batters as he recorded his first career no-hitter in the Comanches’ 5-0 win over Bartlett Saturday. photo by Jason Chlapek
But the senior made up for it on Saturday. Sandelovic struck out 12 batters and allowed just two baserunners -- both on walks -- to record his first career no-hitter in the Comanches’ 5-0 win over Bartlett in a Class A area-round contest Saturday in La Grange.
"Getting a no-hitter in the playoffs is big," Sandelovic said. "The games mean more and your season is on the line. I came at them with my fastball and my curve, and kept them off balance."
Shiner (20-7) advanced to the region quarterfinal round where it will face Thrall in a best-of-three series Friday and Saturday in La Grange. Game One will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, while Game Two will be played at 2 p.m. Saturday with a third game to follow if necessary.
The Comanches and Bulldogs were originally scheduled to play on Friday in Dripping Springs. But wet field conditions prompted the teams to move their game to La Grange Saturday afternoon, and the move seemed to pay off for Shiner.
"The delay helped us because we were able to practice on the field Friday," Sandelovic said. "We had been practicing in the gym because of the rain."
The extra day of practice not only gave Sandelovic an extra day to rest his arm, but also an extra day of preparation for the Comanches’ defense. Shiner did not commit an error on Saturday.
The Comanches scratched a run across the plate in the top of the first inning, and held a 1-0 lead for six innings thanks to the arm of Sandelovic and his defense. Shiner broke through in the top of the seventh with four runs to give Sandelovic all the run support he needed to close out Bartlett.
"That extra day paid off because our defense was solid," Sandelovic said.
Brady Cejka (2-for-3, walk, 2 RBIs) and Zach Reese (2-for-4, 2 RBIs) led the way offensively for the Comanches. Shiner recorded eight hits on the day.
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