June 22, 2011 at 2:04 p.m.
Eagles rally falls short against McDonell Macks
Last Wednesday in the WIAA state tournament semi-final at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute the pitcher ended up with a slight advantage as Chippewa Falls McDonell Central, behind the flame throwing of 6-5 junior Kyle Cody, tipped Barneveld, the team ranked at the top of the division in the state, 3-2.
While the win went to the Macks there were a series of small victories for the Golden Eagles as they fell two runs short of advancing.
Cody had given up only 11 hits in 45 innings of work this season.
The Golden Eagles touched him for five.
He had been sending batters back to the bench via the strikeout route at a 14 per game average.
Barneveld only K'd nine times.
And the Eagles refused to give in. After spotting the Macks three runs in the first four innings--one in the third and two in the fourth--they chipped away with one in the fifth and one in the bottom of the seventh and had runners on second and third when Cody recorded the final out with an aggressive down the middle fastball for the third strike.
"He was the best we've seen all year," coach Lance Schmitz said. "We haven't seen velocity like that. He might be the best pitcher in the tournament."
A bevy of scouts, both college and professional, were present to watch Cody's performance. He was consistently in the low to mid 80's and got his speed up as far as 92.
"We bunted, stole bases and did whatever we could to get in scoring position," Schmitz said.
The hill was not completely owned by Cody in the first game of Wednesday's session. Barneveld senior left hander Jeremy Kitelinger was also having a showcase game, mixing speeds and making the most of a biting curve ball. Kitelinger struck out three, walked only one and spaced six hits. Two of the runs off him were earned.
"Jeremy pitched very well," Schmitz said. "They wanted no part of his curve ball. He did a good job buckling them up."
Kitelinger was also happy with his performance.
"It was the best I've thrown all season," Kitelinger said. "My curve was working today."
"They are easily the best team we've played," Kitelinger said. "He was the hardest thrower and the best pitcher we've seen."
The Macks scored a lone run in the third. Freshman second baseman Sam Sorenson led off with a single to center and advanced on a sac bunt by Luke Ryba. Tyler Erickson then singled to center to score Sorenson.
They added two more in the fourth with two outs. Kitelinger nicked Ryan Baier with a pitch and he was lifted for a courtesy runner, Caleb Hunt. Cole Tenold singled to left and Sorenson reached on an unsuccessful fielders choice. Hunt then scored on an infield error. A wild pitch sent in Tenold.
Kitelinger closed the door the rest of the way.
The Eagles broke the ice in the fifth. Freshman centerfielder Dustin Hodgson reached on an error and freshman Carson Carmody did likewise with the throw allowing both runners to get into scoring position at second and third. Brad Zander sent in Hodgson with a grounder to second.
The Eagles rallied in the final frame. Cody Carmody, who had two hits for the Eagles, lofted a fly to right that landed by the line for a base hit. Hodgson, who also had two hits, followed with a drive that landed near the same place, sending Carmody to third. Zander then met a Cody pitch on the nose and his sharp single to right plated Hodgson, making it a one run game. Zander took second on the play, putting runners at second and third.
But, Cody got tough and ended it with a strikeout.
Cody Carmody was not about to let the loss dampen the respect he has for his team.
"Everyone played well," he said. "It didn't end the way we wanted but we played our butts off. We had our chances but it just didn't happen."
He also felt Kitelinger's mound stint came at the right time.
"It's the best he's pitched," Carmody said. "He came ready and we played good defense behind him with two double plays."
"We will miss this group," Schmitz said. "The senior class was 80-12 over their career and 45-4 in conference play. We didn't know if we'd get many wins this season but look where they ended up---23-1."
"That's the best any boys team has done in any sport at Barneveld."
Carmody will miss playing with the members of this year's team.
"I will miss it," he said. "It was fun. I plan to come back and help. It was the best time of my life."
He will also miss playing with his father, Ed, who was one of the coaches, and brother, Carson.
"It was an awesome experience," Carmody said. "Ending the season here was a good place to be."
Kitelinger said he would like other Barneveld teams to experience the state tournament.
"Work hard during the summer and at practice," he offered. "And have fun doing it. Enjoy your time in high school. It gets over way too soon."
