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ENLARGE
Horizon first baseman Jared LaVerne (11) attempts to apply a tag as Churhill’s Brett Deedon (38) safely makes it back to first base during Tuesday’s game against Churchill at Legion Field. The Motormen won the opener, 7-3.
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ENLARGE
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Horizon’s Isaac Graham (8) slides safely into third base as Churchill third baseman Brad Birch fields the ball at Legion Field Tuesday.
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The Horizon Motormen’s ugly 9-3 nightcap loss to Churchill on Tuesday was an afterthought to Jared LaVerne, who stuck around Legion Field just a little longer than the rest of his teammates afterward to allow the significance of his squad’s 7-3 win in the opener soak in.
A win — just one win — was exactly what Roseburg needed in its final regular-season doubleheader to ensure a state playoff berth. For LaVerne, Horizon’s only returnee and a junior-to-be at Roseburg High, the unconquered climb to postseason’s summit began two season ago.
“Last year, it really stunk,” LaVerne said. “We had a very impressive team and we didn’t play up to our ability and we didn’t make state. Making it to the playoffs this year is big.”
Horizon, which finished fourth in 2007, sealed up the Area 4 North’s No. 3 seed and guaranteed itself a game against the South’s No. 2 squad, which would be Ashland if it does not sweep North Medford today. The Motormen’s road game is set for Sunday.
Horizon (22-14 overall, 13-11 league) engineered a five-run fourth inning in the opener to help seal its fate. Sky Woods hit a two-run triple to right field to give the Motormen a 4-0 advantage and Tyson Dahl and LaVerne, who went 3-for-3 in Game 1, tacked on RBI singles to boost the Motormen’s lead, which it would not relinquish.
With two outs in the seventh inning, Churchill scored three runs before reliever Zach Bennett struck out Shawn Tichenor to end the contest.
Starting pitcher Cody Perry threw a five-hit shutout for six innings and gave up just one walk to boost his record to 4-1. Churchill’s starter, Nathan Rhueban allowed six runs, eight hits and three walks.
The tables turned in the nightcap. Horizon committed five errors and gave up three runs in the second inning and four runs in the sixth. Tim Bellando’s RBI triple in the first inning was one of the team’s only highlights. Starting pitcher Kyle Perry allowed five runs, six hits and three walks, but still managed to strike out five batters — including two consecutively with the bases loaded and one out in the third inning. He also retired the side in the fifth.
Austin Stone, who relieved Kyle Perry in the sixth inning, walked the first three batters he faced and allowed five runs and three hits.
A win — just one win — was exactly what Roseburg needed in its final regular-season doubleheader to ensure a state playoff berth. For LaVerne, Horizon’s only returnee and a junior-to-be at Roseburg High, the unconquered climb to postseason’s summit began two season ago.
“Last year, it really stunk,” LaVerne said. “We had a very impressive team and we didn’t play up to our ability and we didn’t make state. Making it to the playoffs this year is big.”
Horizon, which finished fourth in 2007, sealed up the Area 4 North’s No. 3 seed and guaranteed itself a game against the South’s No. 2 squad, which would be Ashland if it does not sweep North Medford today. The Motormen’s road game is set for Sunday.
Horizon (22-14 overall, 13-11 league) engineered a five-run fourth inning in the opener to help seal its fate. Sky Woods hit a two-run triple to right field to give the Motormen a 4-0 advantage and Tyson Dahl and LaVerne, who went 3-for-3 in Game 1, tacked on RBI singles to boost the Motormen’s lead, which it would not relinquish.
With two outs in the seventh inning, Churchill scored three runs before reliever Zach Bennett struck out Shawn Tichenor to end the contest.
Starting pitcher Cody Perry threw a five-hit shutout for six innings and gave up just one walk to boost his record to 4-1. Churchill’s starter, Nathan Rhueban allowed six runs, eight hits and three walks.
The tables turned in the nightcap. Horizon committed five errors and gave up three runs in the second inning and four runs in the sixth. Tim Bellando’s RBI triple in the first inning was one of the team’s only highlights. Starting pitcher Kyle Perry allowed five runs, six hits and three walks, but still managed to strike out five batters — including two consecutively with the bases loaded and one out in the third inning. He also retired the side in the fifth.
Austin Stone, who relieved Kyle Perry in the sixth inning, walked the first three batters he faced and allowed five runs and three hits.
Ashland, which swept Grants Pass on Tuesday, is the Single A defending state champion. The Motormen were scheduled to play the Southern Oregon team at home on July 15, but the game was canceled.
Churchill was effectively eliminated from playoff contention after being swept by North Eugene on Monday. Coach Erik Hoberg’s team (12-21 overall, 10-14 league) finished in fourth place.
Churchill was effectively eliminated from playoff contention after being swept by North Eugene on Monday. Coach Erik Hoberg’s team (12-21 overall, 10-14 league) finished in fourth place.
