ANDERSON, Ind. —
Jordan Ball’s swing appears to be back.
And the news just keeps getting better for Anderson Hockett’s offensive potential.
Ball belted a triple and a double deep into the Memorial Field outfield Saturday, and former Highland teammate Michael Bilyeu had two RBI singles as Hockett’s Orange team won a 6-3 decision against Mishawaka.
The wins improved the Orange team’s record to 2-1 in the John Miles Memorial Holiday Tournament. It will play its final game today at 4 p.m. against Muncie.
“Our whole team,” Ball said, “if all of us get on track, we’re going to be really dominant, I think.”
Ball definitely was on track during this beautiful summer afternoon.
After each team scored in the first inning, Ball hit a line drive to the left-center field gap that one-hopped off the fence for a triple. He came around to score moments later on Corbin Fowler’s groundout.
Mishawaka showed Ball the ultimate sign of respect in the third, issuing an intentional walk with one out and runners on second and third. That came after Johnny Weis’ RBI single gave Hockett Orange a 3-1 lead.
Anderson failed to score in that inning, but Ball doubled over the head of Mishawaka centerfielder Cameron Schooley in the seventh and scored a key insurance run on a wild pitch.
Ball’s heroics came after a tough day at the plate in a late Friday night loss against tournament champion South Bend.
“He’s been struggling the past couple of days,” Hockett coach Travis Keesling said. “But that’s baseball. You’re going to have games like that.”
Ball had plenty of support.
Blake Wilson put Hockett Orange on the board in the first inning with an RBI double, and Bilyeu added insurance runs with singles in the fourth and sixth.
Wilson also had a solid day on the mound, allowing just one earned run while scattering eight hits in the complete-game victory. He struck out six and surrendered single runs in the first, third and seventh.
Mishawaka tied the game in the first when Jordan Sailors singled, advanced to second on a single, third on a fielder’s choice and scored on a throwing error during Michael Krump’s stolen base attempt.
Schooley led off the third with a triple and scored Mishawaka’s lone earned run on Sailors’ single. Schooley added a lead-off double in the seventh, stole third and scored on Hockett Orange’s third error.
South Bend defeated Bristol later in the day to wrap up the title in the round-robin event, but both Hockett teams (Orange and Blue) have one game remaining today.
Ball said the tournament has been beneficial in allowing the coaches a chance to evaluate a number of players. Hockett must finalize its postseason roster by the end of the day today, and the sectional begins July 16 in Muncie.
“It’s been a lot more efficient for the team coming together,” Ball said. “The coaches get to see each and every one of us play now. It’s great for us because we all love each other, and we just enjoy playing together whenever we can.”
Notes: Bilyeu has been named to the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Academic Team. ... Daleville’s Zach Tumulty, who is playing for Hockett Blue in this event, has been named to the IHSBCA Class 1A All-State First team. ... Alexandria’s Drew Overman, also playing for Hockett Blue, earned honorable mention in Class 2A. ... Highland’s Chandler Sidwell and Brad Kindred, of Hockett Blue, and the Scots’ Cole Heberling, of Hockett Orange, received honorable mention in Class 4A.
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Related Photos
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Anderson Hockett Orange's Jordan Ball drives the ball during Saturday's win in the John Miles Memorial Holiday Tournament at Memorial Field. David Humphrey / For The Herald Bulletin
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Anderson Hockett Orange's Blake Abshire slides into home plate to score after a single by Michael Bilyeu during the sixth inning of Saturday's 6-3 win against Mishawaka at Memorial Field. David Humphrey / For The Herald Bulletin
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Anderson Hockett Orange's Cole Heberling beats the ball to home plate to score in the first inning Saturday at Memorial Field. David Humphrey / For The Herald Bulletin
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Anderson Hockett Orange shortstop Trevor Kimm makes the throw to first base during Saturday's game. David Humphrey / For The Herald Bulletin
Discussion
Hockett has a Ball
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