Lichtenauer, Valley able to finish what they start against Watkins
PATASKALA ― Licking Valley arrived a bit late but didn't wait long to get started Monday against host Watkins Memorial.
The Panthers pounced early for a 5-0 lead and junior left-hander Evan Lichtenauer weathered a fourth-inning storm, helping them complete a rare season sweep of the Warriors with a 5-4 win that vaulted them into first place in the Licking County-League Buckeye Division.
"The coaches were telling us that they can't remember the last time we beat Watkins twice," said Lichtenauer, who retired eight of the last nine batters after Watkins (10-5, 7-2) rallied to within the final score.
He struck out nine, five in the last three innings, and walked only one in a six-hitter in which he threw 100 pitches. That came after classmate Evan Roberts struck out 14 in a 2-1 win against the Warriors on Thursday.
"Evan (Lichtenauer) has pitched since his freshman year, and we all have that confidence in him," senior outfielder Hayden Rodgers said. "It's all about having his back. We're a brotherhood."
Valley (11-1, 5-1) didn't commit an error and took advantage of an uncharacteristic four by Watkins.
"It (the defense) has become a game changer for us," Lichtenauer said. "Early on, we had new guys filling in the gaps, but now they're honed in on their fielding, and hitting. We're playing good team defense all around."
The first Watkins error came in the second inning, setting the stage for an RBI single by Brandt Lichtenauer and a two-out, two-run single by Rodgers as the Panthers jumped ahead 3-0. Then in the fourth, freshman leadoff hitter Brody Rodgers smacked a two-run double down the left field line, after losing pitcher Braiden Bates had a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt, as the lead grew to 5-0.
Coach Adam Arcuri said he and his staff are always preaching about scoring first and having a big inning.
"That's huge for us and gives us momentum for the end of the game," Hayden Rodgers said. "We came in here and put the pressure on them. It was nice to see us take a few pitches. We did a good job working the count, and got into their bullpen."
But after Lichtenauer retired the first nine hitters, Watkins strung together five consecutive hits to get back in it. Aydan Guthrie, Trent Johnson and Chase Massie singled, Cole Massie laced a two-run single to left and Brad Vincent clouted a two-run double to deep right center, making it 5-4.
However, with two runners on, catcher Gunner Bowman picked one off first. Lichtenauer then allowed only Johnson's fifth-inning single the rest of the way.
"I asked him, 'Do you want this?' He said, 'Absolutely,' " Arcuri said. "Our guys know that if we give Evan that kind of cushion, we have a good chance."
Lichtenauer was able to make the necessary adjustments.
"I had thrown them hardly any curveballs going into that inning, and then they were swinging it and touching it," he said. "We started to work the curve in, and they did a good job on the backside. So we started going with the fastball and change-up instead. I was working the outside, then ran the fastball in."
The Panthers had chances to add on but couldn't because of Vincent. Relieving Bates with the bases loaded and none out in the fifth, he struck out the side. He then left runners at second and third in the sixth.
"Brad is going to be a very special kid for us down the road," coach Donnie Schone said after the junior right-hander struck out five in three one-hit innings.
Valley left 10 runners on, and that's something it needs to improve on.
"We struggle with executing in the last part of the game," said Hayden Rodgers, who had two hits along with Bowman. "But once we get over that hump, we'll be hard to beat."
The Panthers' lineup has plenty of youth, but that's no excuse at this point.
"We're young, but the young guys can't be afraid of the moment," Arcuri said. "We still have to be able to get runs in. This week is the gauntlet for us. It began with Watkins, then we have Newark Catholic, Lakewood and Granville. But it's a testament to our guys that they think we have a chance to win no matter who we're playing."
Schone is confident that as long as the Warriors field the ball, the future looks bright.
"When you play a good team like Licking Valley, with a very good pitcher on the mound, you have to cut down on errors," he said. "You have to play almost perfect, or at least minimalize your mistakes. When we play clean, we are very tough to beat. And we're slowly starting to swing the bats, which could be scary for other teams."
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Lichtenauer, Valley able to finish what they start against Watkins
