A blowout and a nail-biter ushered Ethel into the third round of the 1A baseball playoffs. The Tigers defeated Sebastopol 18-0 and 7-6.
The first game surprised everyone — including Ethel Coach Chris Schuster.
“They got the first out. Then we scored 13 runs in a row. I couldn't believe it. It was crazy,” he said.
The other three games between the teams this year were decided by one run, two wins by Ethel and one by Sebastopol.
Ethel had to rally with four runs in the sixth to win the second game and the series.
Tyler Weaver watches a high pitch pass near eye level.. Karen Fioretti / The Star-Herald
“We were fortunate to win,” Schuster said.
Next up for the Tigers is a series with Resurrection, the state's top-ranked 1A team, beginning Thursday at Resurrection in Pascagoula.
Ethel's 10 hits in the 18-0 game included home runs by Gabe Cain, Cyrus Rone, and Alex Schuster. Rone and J.B. McBride each had four RBIs.
Reeves Threadgill, Kameron McCuller, and Braxton Rone combined on a five-inning two-hitter with five strikeouts.
Sebastopol took a 6-3 lead in Game 2 with four runs in the bottom of the fifth, but Ethel responded with four in the top of the sixth. Wes Bishop started the rally with a single.
“It could have been worse. They got the last two outs of the inning on a line drive double play,” Coach Schuster said.
Alex Schuster homered again.
“After he hit the home run in the second game, they wouldn't pitch to him again,” said his coach and father. He was walked his last two times up. “I would have done the same thing.”
Cyrus Rone picked up a save with a one-two-three seventh, including two strikeouts.
Resurrection is 23-4 with a 14-game winning streak.
“We played them last year so we know a little bit about what they have,” Coach Schuster said. “But that was last year and this is this year. That's two different years, so we will see how it goes.”
Reeves Threadgill was one of three ptichers in the 18-0 shut-out game. Karen Fioretti / The Star-Herald
Ethel won that game last year during a tournament in Biloxi 11-3. It was 2-2 through four innings before the Tigers scored three in the fifth and six in the sixth.
It was the last game for both teams before the pandemic brought their seasons to a halt.
It is a long bus ride between the two schools and coach Schuster feels that could be a factor.
“Who can handle the travel. Who can play after a five-hour drive. That's the key,” he said.
The Tigers and Eagles have one common opponent. Ethel defeated Noxapater 14-0 and 11-1 in regular season games and Resurrection won 14-4 and 8-1 in the opening round of the playoffs.
Game 2 will be Friday at Ethel, with the third game, if necessary, back at Resurrection Saturday. All games are scheduled for 7 p.m.
Both won their regions, but Resurrection gets the third game at home as a result of being in the higher numbered region, according to MHSAA guidelines. The Tigers won 5-1A and the Eagles 8-1A.
