Sacred Heart Indians

Indians fend off Cardinals in district opener

  • Emerson Harvey steals second in the St. Paul game. Emerson had a big night with a single, double, three stolen bases and two runs batted in. Chuck Grafe/Tribune-Herald
    Emerson Harvey steals second in the St. Paul game. Emerson had a big night with a single, double, three stolen bases and two runs batted in. Chuck Grafe/Tribune-Herald
  • Klayton Chance scores a fourth inning run. Chuck Grafe/Tribune-Herald
    Klayton Chance scores a fourth inning run. Chuck Grafe/Tribune-Herald

    The Sacred Heart Indians had to hold off St. Paul in the late innings to secure a 10-8 victory over the Cardinals in the TAPPS District 5 Division IV opener for both teams at the StarPlex Wednesday, March 27.

    The Indians were cruising along with a 9-4 lead prior to the Cardinals rallying for four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning with three runs coming on a home run by Nate Boedeker to cut the lead to 9-8.

    The Indians (9-6, 1-0) added an insurance run in the top of the seventh on a double by Josh Terry after a walk to Ty Noska.

    Layne Sevcik (4-2) was the starting pitcher and winner for the Indians and went five innings. Sevcik surrendered four runs (two earned), only three hits but walked three and hit three batters.

    Terry relieved Sevcik in the sixth and gave up four runs before Dillon Goedrich got the save after retiring four of the five batters he faced.

    The Indians scored two runs in the first inning. With one out, Noska singled, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored after Emerson Harvey was safe on an error. Harvey came across when Wade Shimek hit a 0-2 pitch to left field for a base hit.

    SP took a brief 3-2 lead after three innings before the Indians rallied for four runs in the top of the fourth inning for a 6-3 lead.

    With one out, Sevcik singled and Bowen Hawkins was hit by a pitch. Kellen Mechura laid down a bunt and a throwing error by the pitcher scored both runners. Mechura scored on a sacrifice fly by Hudson Kutac. Noska singled and scored on a double to deep left field by Harvey.

    After the Cardinals whittled the lead to 6-4, the Tribe scored in the fifth inning and added two in the sixth when Sevcik doubled in both runs.

    The Indians stranded 10 baserunners and SP eight.