Scary collision mars Sickles decisive region win
Sickles junior Justin Allen smacked a pair of home runs, driving in five as the Gryphons defeated Lennard by mercy-rule in the region quarterfinal (813Preps file photo).
By Rick Cantor
Staff Writer
TAMPA – Justin Allen belted a pair of home runs in support four shutout innings from Caden McDonald as Sickles defeated Lennard, 11-0 in five innings to advance in a 6A-Region2 quarterfinal contest on Tuesday.
The victory was marred by a collision in the bottom of the fifth inning between Gryphon center fielder Hayden Yost and shortstop Luke Fikar. A 40-minute delay ensued as an ambulance took Yost to the hospital with an arm injury ending the junior’s season.
“Hayden is the heart and soul and spirit of this team,” said McDonald. “He always gets you fired up but stays calm in moments of high intensity.”
For Lennard (17-6), the loss is a bitter end to an excellent season, one in which the Longhorns tied a school record in wins.
Justin Allen
Prior to the injury, Sickles (22-6) dominated the contest from the jump. Yost walked to leadoff the game and was driven in on a sacrifice fly by Thomas Bly to start the scoring. Allen (2-for-3, five RBI) followed with the first of his round trippers by lining a Zach Bird offering to left for the early three run lead.
“I was looking for a fastball and I got one,” said Allen. “We preach on this team to get ahead early. It can make a huge difference and obviously it did tonight.”
The Gryphons added to their lead in the second inning courtesy of a two-run triple down the right field line from Yost (1-for-2, two RBI, two runs, BB) and an opposite field RBI single from McDonald. A passed ball allowed Connor Vance to score, followed by a Lennard error staked McDonald to an insurmountable eight-run lead after two innings
“I know how we have felt when we have been down early,” said McDonald. “It puts pressure on you, and you start to press. When you are pitching from ahead, it allows you to relax and expand the strike zone. The cushion just makes it easier in every aspect.”
In the bottom of the fourth, Allen stepped to the plate with two on and one out and launched a no-doubter over the fence in left-center and giving Sickles the double-digit lead and setting up a victory by mercy rule.
Sidewinder Vinny Vigil entered the game in the fifth and looked to be putting the game away quickly prior to the collision which will be the motivating factor when the Gryphons host Mitchell in the 6A-2 region semifinal on Friday night. After the long delay, the senior eventually recorded the final out.
“Hayden is the hardest worker on the team and loved by everyone,” said McDonald. “Nobody wanted it as bad as him. There is nothing left to do but to play for him.”
Sickles junior Hayden Yost was injured in a fifth-inning collision on defense, spoiling a dominant performance from the Gryphons in the region quarterfinal. Our 813Preps staff wants wish Hayden a speedy recovery.
⚾ Class 6A-Region 2 Qtr ⚾
Sickles 11
Lennard 0 – five innings
L 000|00x|x – |0|2|2
S 350|3xx|x – |11|7|0
W – McDonald (8-2); L – Bird
2B – Berg (S); 3B – Yost (S); HR – Allen (S). Records – L (17-6); S (22-6).
