Bemis pitches Lake past Northwestern

By Pete Chiodo

May 22, 2008 12:29 am

— SLIPPERY ROCK — It’s difficult to say who looked more dazed; the Northwestern players, after sending 23 batters to the plate and getting just one hit out of the deal, or the guy that tossed said one-hitter, Conneaut Lake’s Jay Bemis.
Either way, Bemis was the good kind of dazed following his masterful performance in Lake’s 3-0 win over the Wildcats in the first round of the District 10 Class AA playoffs, Wednesday at Slippery Rock University’s Jack Critchfield Park.
“Actually, there’s a lot going through my head right now,” said the wide-eyed senior afterwards. “I’m just really happy that we won. And I’m glad I pitched well.”
Bemis gave up a single in the first inning to Northwestern’s Zach Heberlein. After that he retired 19 straight batters before plunking Marcus Paradise in the seventh.
“I think he threw 78 pitches in a seven-inning game,” said Lakers coach Randy Schlosser. “He was in absolute total command of his three pitches. He did a super job.”
With the win, Conneaut Lake (13-4) advances to the D-10 semifinals to take on Region 3 champion North East. That game is scheduled for Saturday at 1:30 p.m. back at The Jack. Northwestern ends the season at 13-7.
“So psyched,” said Lake outfielder Cameron Kean. “Last year we lost to Northwestern (in the same round). So it was great to get revenge. And it was an all-out performance by the entire team.”
Behind Bemis, Conneaut Lake’s defense was so clean that it squeaked. Bemis had six strikeouts. The other 15 put-outs were covered by the “D”.
One standout in the field was third baseman Eric Schell. He had four nice assists, snatching up hard-hit grounders and zipping the throws to first. He also had two putouts. In the sixth he went horizontal across his body to scoop a line drive out of the dirt. The other was a pop out.
“Schell had that diving catch,” said Bemis. “(First baseman) Travis Walls had a couple nice plays. The whole team played great defense. I couldn’t have done anything without them.”
The Lakers notched run No. 1 in the third inning. R.J. Baker hit a two-out single deep in the pocket at short. He later stole second. Matt Morian then got a key reprieve when ’Cats third baseman Dennis Haffley dropped Morian’s pop-fly in foul territory. On the very next pitch, Morian made him pay for the mistake, lifting one to right field and scoring Baker.
In the fifth, Indians second baseman Josh Loutzenhiser reached on an error — one of three by Northwestern last night. Kean bunted him over to second. Loutzenhiser moved to third on Baker’s second single of the day. And Morian snapped one through the right side to bring Loutzenhiser home.
The Indians added one more run in the third. Bemis led off with an infield single. Adam Bronson drew his second walk of the outing, moving courtesy runner Colton Alter to second. And Loutzenhiser scored Alter with a single to right.
Lake had nine hits. Baker, Morian and Kean each had a pair.
Both of Kean’s hits were textbook-perfect bunts toward third base. He also had a sacrifice bunt to first.
“I love to bunt,” said Kean. “And they gave me a chance to bunt, so I took advantage of it. Two base hits — I never saw that coming.”

Pete Chiodo can be reached at 724-6370 ext. 275 or by e-mail at pchiodo@meadvilletribune.com.