Baseball: Oudom, Collins lead Spackenkill back to Section 9 final

Dan Collins occasionally looks down at that two-inch surgical scar above his right elbow, and what it represents can conjure a wave of mixed emotions.

It brings about some disappointment, knowing that injury cost him a promising scholastic season and impacted his recruitment process. There is also some regret for what could’ve been as his absence diminished Spackenkill's chances of defending its baseball state championship.

"It’s motivation, too,” the senior said. "Looking at it reminds me of how much work it took to get back, and it makes me appreciate these opportunities now even more."

Following a breakout sophomore season, the pitcher tore his ulnar collateral ligament while throwing a bullpen session during a winter showcase event. Tommy John surgery followed, sidelining the superstar for more than a year, which, Collins said, was even more painful than the injury.

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"His absence was certainly felt," Spartans coach Don Neise said. "There was definitely something missing without Dan.”

For one, his imposing presence in the lineup and on the mound, and his leadership in the dugout.

Spackenkill, though, found a silver lining in Linus. Desperate for depth, the team turned to a freshman and Linus Oudom proved to be a revelation. He helped the Spartans capture a Section 9 title, although the team by then was besieged by injuries.

Oudom has flourished this spring, becoming a legitimate ace. And, with Collins back and thriving, that terrific tandem has given reason for the expectations to be raised. They did it again on Tuesday.

Oudom allowed two hits in five innings and Collins crushed a two-run homer and dominated in two innings of relief, leading Spackenkill in a 9-1 win over third-seeded Highland in a Section 9 Class B baseball semifinal.

"It means a lot," Collins said of the Spartans advancing to the section final, "especially thinking about what we could've had last year. We're motivated to do as much as we can with this run."

The Spartans, seeking a third straight section title, face No. 1 Chester in the final Saturday, 4 p.m. at Lorenz Field in Saugerties. They edged the Hambletonians, 2-1, in that round last season.

"They're very talented and always well-coached, so it'll be a battle," Neise said of Chester, which reached the Class C state final in 2022. "But it's exciting for us to challenge for a title again."

Highland scored in the first inning, but the Spartans capitalized on some defensive miscues for three runs in the second. From there, they remained in control and eliminated the Huskies in the semifinals for a second straight season.

Dylan Boenig's two-run single made it 5-1 in the third, and Spackenkill extended to a six-run lead in the fourth after Oudom and Bryan Hoyt hit RBI doubles.

Oudom walked two and struck out four, stifling a talented squad. "He makes the game look easy," Collins said of the sophomore, who held Highland to a run in seven innings in their postseason meeting last spring. "He hits his spots and he's so consistent. We're lucky to have him."

The right-hander admittedly struggled with control of his curveball early, but his slider, fastball and splitter were effective in inducing soft contact. One of the hits allowed was an infield single and only two outs reached the outfield.

Bradley Gatto hit a first-inning sacrifice fly for the Huskies (12-7).

“Spackenkill is a tremendous team and, for us, the pain of defeat might be part of the process that makes us better,” said Highland coach John Manganiello, whose team had a drastic turnaround last spring after a lengthy rebuilding phase. "We've won 28 games over the last two seasons and we're heading in the right direction.”

With a roster heavily comprised of sophomores and juniors, the Huskies figure to build on their success and could have title contention in their future. But it’s the Spartans who own the present.

Boenig is another injury replacement who established himself last season. The catcher went 3 or 4 with two doubles and he threw out an attempted base-stealer in the third inning. Oudom was 2 for 3 with three runs and Noah Bogdan doubled and scored.

Collins insisted he feels "100%" and it sounded that way, as his fastball created a noticeable "pop" of the catcher's mitt. Collins was overpowering and struck out five in his two innings to close the game.

"He's our biggest star, so getting him back means the world," Oudom said. "What he's doing is amazing. There's the velocity, but watching him fool hitters with his curveball is exciting."

To another pitcher, certainly. But not quite as exciting as the booming two-run homer Collins hit in the sixth inning that delighted teammates and the home crowd. The ball sailed well over the 340-foot sign in center. That, the Cortland commit said, was a “bittersweet” farewell to the field in his last at-bat there.

The ultimate goal, of course, is to make a few more memories at neutral sites in the upcoming weeks.

“Especially thinking about what we could’ve had last year,” Collins said, “we want this badly.”

Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Baseball: Collins, Oudom lead Spackenkill over Highland in semifinal