Waxahachie vs. Waco Midway - 4A Region II Final

The DMN did a poor job of covering the game. Midways's HR was hit by Ryan Gebhart. Hachie's big inning included the benefit of 2 HBP, 3 SH, and an error. They also beat a kid that was 13-0 going into the game. I know it was mid-week, but what else is going on that kept the decent reporters home?

They may have been recovering from the shock of SWAC doing a game behind the plate.

Midway hit 3 solo homeruns, who did the DMN say hit one?

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the decent reporters

PD, I think the decent reporters work for the Plano Star

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I know it was mid-week, but what else is going on that kept the decent reporters home?

Off season Football.

This is the article I saw in the Dallas Morning News this morning.

Waxahachie holds on to take opener from Waco Midway, 7-6

12:47 AM CDT on Thursday, May 29, 2008

By DAMON L. SAYLES / The Dallas Morning News
dsayles@dallasnews.com

WAXAHACHIE – Colton Cain wasn't expected to take the mound for Waxahachie until Saturday. On Wednesday, Waco Midway got a sneak preview of how solid the junior left-hander can be.

Cain struck out two Midway batters as he came on in relief in the seventh inning to secure a 7-6 victory against Midway in Game 1 of the 4A Region II final best-of-3 series at Richards Park.

Cain, undefeated as a starter this year, struck out Midway's Hayden Chick for Waxahachie's second out of the final inning. He struck out Sam Hansen to end Midway's chances of rallying from a six-run deficit.

"I didn't even know I was going to pitch," Cain said. "Coming in like that, the pressure's enormous. I just tried to relax and do what I do."

Cain's save allowed starting pitcher Marshall Davis to pick up the win. Davis allowed four runs on nine hits in five innings. Drew Harrison pitched in the sixth for Waxahachie (30-6).

Midway (31-7) trailed, 7-1, after two innings. Brad Davis, Harrison and Chris Deleon led Waxahachie to its seven-run second.

But Midway battled back with two runs in the fourth inning, one in the fifth and two in the sixth. Midway also stranded five runners in the final three innings.

Give Wax credit, PD. They got seven runs off Midway's "ace". HBP belongs to the pitcher. The one error didn't help, of course.

I give them a lot of credit, Texan -- they're a great HS team. Midway will have their hands full in trying to win 2. My comment was more an opinion on the fact that the DMN story did not reflect a very good picture of the game....that's all. No disrespect to either side.

PD,

Who will Midway throw saturday against Colton Cain?

Waxahachie did a good job of manufacturing runs. The real story is that they put up 7 runs on a kid that was 13-0 and had won games over some very good programs in Texas. The DMN story made it sound like Cain dominated. One of the 2 Ks was convincing, but the second was a full count in which the batter fouled off 3 pitches before the umpire called the batter out on a pitch that almost hit him. Cain was not really a factor in the game as he went 0-4 at the plate as well. I agree that the story was not a good representation of the game. Midway hit three home runs. Anthony Guajardo, Todd Glaessman and Ryan Gebhart each went yard. Wax scored their first four runs on no balls out of the infield, but give them credit.

Midway has two kids left that have started most of the games that Landon (last night's starter) had not started. One is a lefty (Walker)and one is a righty (Dunks). Who will Wax pitch?

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Originally posted by Mizzoudad:
Waxahachie did a good job of manufacturing runs. The real story is that they put up 7 runs on a kid that was 13-0 and had won games over some very good programs in Texas. The DMN story made it sound like Cain dominated. One of the 2 Ks was convincing, but the second was a full count in which the batter fouled off 3 pitches before the umpire called the batter out on a pitch that almost hit him. Cain was not really a factor in the game as he went 0-4 at the plate as well. I agree that the story was not a good representation of the game. Midway hit three home runs. Anthony Guajardo, Todd Glaessman and Ryan Gebhart each went yard. Wax scored their first four runs on no balls out of the infield, but give them credit.

Those first 2 runs by Waxahachie were great, you don't see many high school teams that would even think about a suicide squeeze, much less do it on back to back batters. Though Cain only pitched one inning, he did come in and slam the door on a Midway team that had nearly come all the way back from a 6 run deficit. Cain only allowed a weak ground ball, then got a strike out for the 2nd out, then froze the kid on a strikeout looking for the 3rd out. Just got the feeling when he we walking to the mound in the 7th that it was game over. Cain also did something else I have never seen, at the plate, when his bat slipped out of his hand and ended up over the backstop and over the grandstand, kid **** near threw it to the parking lot.

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Originally posted by Mizzoudad:
Midway has two kids left that have started most of the games that Landon (last night's starter) had not started. One is a lefty (Walker)and one is a righty (Dunks). Who will Wax pitch?

Hachie will start Colton Cain for game 2, will Midway try to throw Landon again on 3 days rest?

I have as much respect for manufactured runs as I do homers. Certainly takes execution on part of the hitters and the runners. And they both look the same on the scoreboard.

Midway's strength is its sticks. That is what has carried it through most of the season. Midway is fortunate, from one standpoint, to be in an extremely weak district baseball-wise. They really aren't challenged in district. They have to try and find decent competition in the pre-district games.

Should be an interesting series.

first, texas jeremy, I completely disagree about slamming the door...you forgot the single and the 9 pitch ab for the last kid and the questionable called strike 3. Certainly not dominate. But, he did get it done.

Midway coaching staff has not had a history of abusing its pitching staff by pitching it with high pitch counts or on minimal rest. Midway pitched 7 pitchers in its warm up victory over FW Arl Heights and they are all about the same. How can the coaching staff at Waxahachie throw Cain so often, with so little rest and so many pitches? Hum? How can his parents allow that?

Although Midway's district has been weak, I think their non district schedule is as tough as any 4a team in teh state. Georgetown, Cedar Park x 2, Coppell, Klein Collins, Waxahachie, Middlothian, etc.. Did it look like Wax was the superior team? Collins, Harrison, and Cain were 1-9 at the plate. Wax capitalized on a few very uncharacteristic mistakes by Midway (to Wax's credit) and Midway was one swing away from wining this game. They had two runners on in teh 6th, with one out, after Gebhart homered.

I guess Coach Woods learned something from last year about how to play small ball from a team that knocked Corsicana out of the playoffs.

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Did it look like Wax was the superior team? Collins, Harrison, and Cain were 1-9 at the plate.

Just think...how bad will Wax win when those three have a good game?

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Originally posted by TTU:

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Did it look like Wax was the superior team? Collins, Harrison, and Cain were 1-9 at the plate.

Just think...how bad will Wax win when those three have a good game?

Also, Midway threw their "ace" who was 13-0 going into the game, while Waxahachie threw their #2 pitcher who has taken a loss in the last 2 playoff series (to Ennis and Highland Park). Now Waxahachie get to throw their "ace" in game 2.

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Originally posted by Mizzoudad:
first, texas jeremy, I completely disagree about slamming the door...you forgot the single and the 9 pitch ab for the last kid and the questionable called strike 3. Certainly not dominate. But, he did get it done.

Midway coaching staff has not had a history of abusing its pitching staff by pitching it with high pitch counts or on minimal rest. Midway pitched 7 pitchers in its warm up victory over FW Arl Heights and they are all about the same. How can the coaching staff at Waxahachie throw Cain so often, with so little rest and so many pitches? Hum? How can his parents allow that?

Although Midway's district has been weak, I think their non district schedule is as tough as any 4a team in teh state. Georgetown, Cedar Park x 2, Coppell, Klein Collins, Waxahachie, Middlothian, etc.. Did it look like Wax was the superior team? Collins, Harrison, and Cain were 1-9 at the plate. Wax capitalized on a few very uncharacteristic mistakes by Midway (to Wax's credit) and Midway was one swing away from wining this game. They had two runners on in teh 6th, with one out, after Gebhart homered.

When I said he slammed the door, I didn't say he came in and struck 3 guys out on 9 pitches, but he did bear down and strike out the last 2 batters he faced, freezing the last hitter. Also, don't assume a pitcher is being "abused" if he pitches in two games in a week. This is the same coaching staff that held him out for a month when he had some arm soreness, just to make sure that his arm was completely rested and ready to go. After not pitching for a month he threw 4 innings on 5/16, 6 innings on 5/20, 7 innings on 5/24, and 1 inning on 5/28.

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Originally posted by Texan:
I have as much respect for manufactured runs as I do homers. Certainly takes execution on part of the hitters and the runners. And they both look the same on the scoreboard.

Midway's strength is its sticks. That is what has carried it through most of the season. Midway is fortunate, from one standpoint, to be in an extremely weak district baseball-wise. They really aren't challenged in district. They have to try and find decent competition in the pre-district games.

Should be an interesting series.

A weak district won't be a problem for Midway next year, joining Waxahachie, Midlothian, Ennis, Cleburne, and Corsicana in the new 16-4A. Next year, every week of district will be a battle just to get to the playoffs.

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Originally posted by texasjeremy:
A weak district won't be a problem for Midway next year, joining Waxahachie, Midlothian, Ennis, Cleburne, and Corsicana in the new 16-4A.

Ouch! That will change the culture...

Series tied 1-1 after Waco Miday defeats Waxahachie in game 2....

Game 2 Final

Waco Midway 2
Waxahachie 1

Who pitched for WAX? Cain?

Yes, Cain pitched for the Indians in game 2.

Third game should be a high scoring barn-burner.

Hachie with the win in game 3 -- 9-4. Collins gets the win....Cain closes after throwing 7 in game 2. Indians to state.

Congratulations to the Waxahachie players and coaches. My son tells me they are a group of classy guys and for that I applaud them. It was a hard fought series. I wish the team the best in the state tournament!

One Wax pitcher pitched in all three games and a pro scout sitting near me had his fastball never going any higher than 84 mph, with most in the high 70s. I really don't thing going to state is worth what the Waxahachie coaches have asked him to do in the last few weeks. Pitching in all three games of a series? Especially after pitching a complete game in game two and then closing game 3. Can that be justified? Give the kid credit as he has a good curve, but was not the pitcher that I've seen in the past. No criticism intended as he is a real competitor, just a real shame to see a kid go from low 90s to that.

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Originally posted by Mizzoudad:
Congratulations to the Waxahachie players and coaches. My son tells me they are a group of classy guys and for that I applaud them. It was a hard fought series. I wish the team the best in the state tournament!

One Wax pitcher pitched in all three games and a pro scout sitting near me had his fastball never going any higher than 84 mph, with most in the high 70s. I really don't thing going to state is worth what the Waxahachie coaches have asked him to do in the last few weeks. Pitching in all three games of a series? Especially after pitching a complete game in game two and then closing game 3. Can that be justified? Give the kid credit as he has a good curve, but was not the pitcher that I've seen in the past. No criticism intended as he is a real competitor, just a real shame to see a kid go from low 90s to that.

Cain did pitch in all 3 games, but to be fair, games 1 and 3 were just 1 quick inning of work. I would expect Waxahachie to throw Marshall Davis (Game 1 starter) in the semifinal against Birdville, and hopefully if they advance, bring Colton Cain out on Thursday against Calallen.

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I would expect Waxahachie to throw Marshall Davis (Game 1 starter) in the semifinal against Birdville, and hopefully if they advance, bring Colton Cain out on Thursday against Calallen.

That's not going to happen! Every coach in America will throw his best pitcher in the semifinal. You cannot save him for a game that may not happen. Cain is Wax's Number 1 - not the kid that started game 1. That was "3 game series strategy" - now, it is single game elimination and Cain will be on the bump for the semi, count on it.

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Originally posted by Natural:

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I would expect Waxahachie to throw Marshall Davis (Game 1 starter) in the semifinal against Birdville, and hopefully if they advance, bring Colton Cain out on Thursday against Calallen.

That's not going to happen! Every coach in America will throw his best pitcher in the semifinal. You cannot save him for a game that may not happen. Cain is Wax's Number 1 - not the kid that started game 1. That was "3 game series strategy" - now, it is single game elimination and Cain will be on the bump for the semi, count on it.

You may be right, but it will depend on if Waxahachie is happy with being in the finals or if they really want to make a real run at a title. If they think they can beat Birdville with their #2, I would not be surprised to see him pitch, especially since he hasn't thrown since Wednesday, while Cain threw plenty on Saturday.

You can't win the title if you never get to the title game.

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Originally posted by Natural:
You can't win the title if you never get to the title game.

I know nothing about Calallen, but if they are as good as their ranking (#3 in the nation), then I doubt there are many teams that can beat them without using their "ace". But you never know. Maybe Waxahachie will wait and see if Calallen throws their "ace" in the semifinals, since Calallen plays the early game.

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Originally posted by Natural:
You can't win the title if you never get to the title game.


I know nothing about Calallen, but if they are as good as their ranking (#3 in the nation), then I doubt there are many teams that can beat them without using their "ace". But you never know. Maybe Waxahachie will wait and see if Calallen throws their "ace" in the semifinals, since Calallen plays the early game.

there you go natural!!!

Jeremy... If Birdvilles "ace" is rested and healthy then Wax. is going to need a gem from Cain and a lot of help to reach the final!

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Originally posted by nortexbaseball:

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Originally posted by Natural:
You can't win the title if you never get to the title game.


I know nothing about Calallen, but if they are as good as their ranking (#3 in the nation), then I doubt there are many teams that can beat them without using their "ace". But you never know. Maybe Waxahachie will wait and see if Calallen throws their "ace" in the semifinals, since Calallen plays the early game.

there you go natural!!!

Jeremy... If Birdvilles "ace" is rested and healthy then Wax. is going to need a gem from Cain and a lot of help to reach the final!

I wonder what Birdville's pitching situation is like. Their series also went 3 games, throw in a lot of travel and the fact that their game 3 went 11 innings. It will definitly be interesting because Birdville is a very good team.

Unless something changes, it looks like Waxahachie will start Marshall Davis tonight.

What a shocker... something changed tj!

No coach in his right mind would have NOT started Colton Cain in the semifinal. And no matter what happens tonight, he got Waxahachie to the final, giving them a chance to win a state title. Good luck Indians!