Seyer pitches Oran to victory

~ The Eagles made the most of their two hits in their sectional win.

COOTER -- Oran senior left-hander Chase Seyer has seen his share of pressure situations in his career.

Seyer has started in numerous big games during his four-year varsity career, none bigger than the state title game his freshman season. So when Seyer faced a bases-loaded situation with no outs in Wednesday's Class 1 sectional at Cooter, Seyer did not panic.

Instead, he was able to induce a grounder to first, followed by two pop-ups to escape the jam unscathed in the fourth. Seyer retired Cooter one-two-three over the final three innings and the Eagles' offense did just enough for a 3-0 win.

"I've been in situations like that before," Seyer said. "Coach tells us to stay within ourselves and throw strikes. That's what I did."

Oran second baseman Kody Campbell completed a double play over Cooter's Aaron Brown during Oran's 3-0 sectional win Wednesday in Cooter. (Kit Doyle)

Cooter loaded the bases with singles from Josh Hutton and Jeremy McCaig and an error by Seyer. Seyer was able to bear down from there and got some help from his defense.

"That was huge," Oran coach Mitch Wood said of the inning. "We couldn't have picked a better pitcher to have on the mound. He did a good job getting out of it and we made some good plays to get that done."

The Eagles' potent offense did little all game against Cooter starter Aaron McCaig. McCaig's wildness gave the Eagles their first chance to open things up in the bottom of the second. Oran loaded the bases with two outs on two walks and a hit batsman, but McCaig got Cody Dirnberger to ground out after falling behind 3-0 on Oran's No. 9 hitter.

Oran got on the board first in the following inning thanks to a leadoff walk from Caleb Seyer, a stolen base, followed by a single and a force out. Tyler Beardslee grounded out to second for the RBI, giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead after three innings.

Beardslee provided some breathing room in the fifth for the Eagles with the help of a pair of free passes from McCaig. Caleb Seyer led off with a walk once again and Kody Campbell followed with another walk. Beardslee came through with his second RBI of the game on a single and Campbell also scored on the play after Beardslee got himself in a run down.

Beardslee and Campbell had the only two hits of the game for the Eagles.

"Every game coach says find a way to win, and that's what we tried to do," Chase Seyer said.

Wood felt the team's long layoff from Thursday's district final may have hurt the hitting. Even though the Eagles were not hitting the ball, Oran's hitters were patient enough to accept seven walks from McCaig.

"We usually hit the ball really well, but we also walk a lot," Wood said. "You usually don't see many teams do that."

Chase Seyer allowed six hits, walked none and struck out none in a complete-game victory. Chase Seyer also threw a complete game in the district championship game.

"That's what we expected out of him," Wood said. "He came out and did a good job. That's why we pitched him."

Chase Seyer credited his defense in helping him get the win.

"As long as we can throw strikes and make them put the ball in play, we'll come out all right," Seyer said.

Oran was able to get some revenge against a Cooter team that knocked it off 8-5 earlier this season. The Eagles started junior Steven Dooley in the previous meeting.

"This is a good-hitting [Cooter] team, a good fastball hitting team," Wood said. "That's one of the reasons we chose Chase today. He does a good job changing his speeds. Chase can keep you off stride. He does a good job mixing things up."

The Eagles will move on to the quarterfinals Friday against Valle Catholic. Valle routed Winona 9-0 in other sectional action Wednesday.

Oran will likely throw junior Alex Chasteen, who is 6-0 this season, or Dooley in Friday's game at Oran. The Eagles have won 13 straight.

"Right now we're in a pretty good situation," Wood said. "We have two good pitchers left."

Oran 3, Cooter 0

Cooter 000 000 0 -- 0 6 1

Oran 001 020 x -- 3 2 1

WP -- Chase Seyer. LP -- Aaron McCaig. 2B -- Corey Hinklin (C). Records -- Cooter 18-9, Oran 24-4.

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