Sandy baseball bunts its way to first-round win over Grant

Published 8:32 pm Monday, May 20, 2024

Sandy baseball’s savvy runners put the screws to visiting Grant in the opening round of playoffs, unleashing a slew of mind games that led to a carousel of Generals pitchers on the mound, and some untimely balks and walks.

“Every single run we scored was because we put pressure on them,” said Coach Eric Fogle. “Great job today.”

The Pioneers bounced back after going down early. In the third inning junior Cooper Hibbs got on base with the first Sandy hit of the evening, and then a pair of bunts from senior shortstop Donavin Crouch and junior Kobe Sparks loaded the bases.

That is when Grant’s first relief pitcher, sophomore Jinki Tomita, walked the batter, allowing Sandy courtesy runner junior Nate Reel to casually strut across home plate for tie.

Two batters later, and another pitching change from Grant to senior John Kent, the Pioneers took the lead on senior Luke Kovac’s deep sacrifice hit that was caught near the fence but scored Sparks.

The final run of the outing was in the 5th inning. As Sandy’s defense prevented Grant from finding any headway, two more Pioneers bunts brought Crouch home. He had hit a single, then advanced to second base on a balk. A bunt from Sparks moved him one further, and then a sacrifice bunt down the left line from senior Aaron Menchaca led to the score.

“We played a lot of small ball — getting bunts down, moving runners, putting the ball in play,” Crouch said.

“We are all super stoked, that was fun,” he added. “There was a lot of intensity in the dugout and that carried us throughout the win.”

No. 13 Sandy held off No. 20 Grant 3-1 Monday, May 20, in the first round of the 2024 OSAA 6A State Championships.

“It feels amazing, Sandy has been needing a playoff win, this was a long time coming,” said senior starting pitcher Matthew Kosderka.

Things were going well for the Generals (19-8) in the opening innings. Starting sophomore pitcher Elliot Raiton tossed 2 strike outs and held Sandy scoreless through three. And the opening run of the contest was a double down the left line from freshman Grant Snidow that scored senior Benjamin Tell.

But the Pioneers (21-7) bounced back, thanks to that oppressive base running and stout defense.

“Our defense is amazing — Matt (Kosderka) goes out there and we are always able to back him up if we need to,” Crouch said.

The Pioneers ace didn’t leave many scraps. Kosderka retired six batters in six innings, which included hitting a milestone of his 101st strike out on the season.

“I didn’t know about that — but glory to God,” Kosderka said with a smile. “I felt good on the mound, was slipping a little bit but you just have to grind it out and get outs.”

He also had a highlight reel one-handed catch on the mound on a rocketed hit that was more instinct than anything, getting Sandy out of the 4th inning.

“We knew going in it was going to be good, because whenever Matt is on the mound he is throwing strikes,” Crouch said.

In the 7th inning, Sandy junior closer Fisher Winchester struck out a pair to seal the win.

There were plenty of smiles for the Pioneers, after shaking that first-round monkey. Last season the Pioneers fell 4-1 in the opener.

“Momentum is good, we just have to keep hitting the ball and doing it as a family,” Kosderka said.

Next on the schedule for the Pioneers is a road trip against No. 4 Jesuit (18-9). The Crusaders survived a 10-8 scare from No. 29 Sheldon in the first round. The second round will be Wednesday, May 22.