For one brief moment after the game started on Monday afternoon, you might have thought to yourself that the Dekalb Barons were going to knock off the Columbia city Eagles in the semi-finals of the Class 4A baseball sectional.
Senior Ty Rottger had launched a 2 run moon shot in the top of the first inning to give Dekalb the early lead, some confidence, and the momentum.
In the mere blink of an eye, as it so often happens in America’s pastime, the Eagles got their first 2 aboard in the bottom of the first. Then pitcher and 3 hole hitter Connor Slavich unloaded a lunar shot of his own, and Columbia City never looked back as they defeated the Barons 13-2 in a game shortened to 5 innings due to the 10 run rule.
Dekalb could only muster 4 hits in the game, and they continually shot themselves in the foot when they did have the chance to do some damage.
Coach Chris Rhodes will lose a number of talented seniors from this years squad, including Nick McDonald, who could not play in the game against the Eagles as he sustained a broken wrist in practice on Friday.
In the championship game on Monday night, columbia City ran into a buzz-saw known as the Carroll Chargers, and were defeated by the same 13-2 score. With the win, Carroll has now won the sectional 3 years in a row.