Chiefs rally for third straight district title

Realizing later than anyone else he had hit a go-ahead homer induced a fist pump from Chiefs senior Taylor Wesley. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

In 2006, the Chiefs were unceremoniously dumped from the Class 1, District 15 Tournament in a 13-3 semifinal loss to eventual state champion Sacred Heart.

"After that first year, we said we'd improve and win at all costs," remarked Santa Fe senior Taylor Wesley. Now, "we kind of expect it."

That confidence paid off for the Chiefs in the late innings Thursday, when they overcame a 1-0 deficit on Wesley's two-run homer to beat Concordia, 3-1, for their third straight district title.

Santa Fe head coach Josh Fisher knew that the rapidly-improving Orioles, winners of four in a row, were going to be a challenge.

"Every time you play a good team, they get better every time you play," said Fisher after downing Concordia for the third time this season. "I sure wasn't taking this one lightly."

For most of the game, the Chiefs were frustrated by sophomore right-hander Carter Brown, who allowed only three hits through the first five frames.

"We knew he'd try to get us with some off-speed stuff, and he sure did," Fisher said. "The kid played his heart out."

All-state senior Logan Kirchhoff was equally tough for Santa Fe, retiring the first 10 batters he faced. With one out in the fourth, Brown zipped a single past Wesley -- who then booted a tailor-made double-play grounder. Sophomore Alic Frerking's two-out single up the middle plated Brown.

"I could look around and see worried faces," Wesley admitted. "I thought, 'This isn't us. We're not hitting.'"

The Orioles threatened again in the top of the sixth, which began with singles by sophomore Drew Smith and Brown. That's when the Chiefs' defense came up with two big plays.

The first was when Brown was gunned down at second base by senior catcher Ben Catlett while trying to advance on a wild pitch which sent Smith to third.

Then junior Hunter Rolf fired a strike to Catlett at home plate to beat Smith by two steps on what appeared to be a sacrifice fly to medium center field.

"That was the momentum-shifter. You could feel it," Fisher declared. "It would be a different game if he hadn't made that throw."

With one out in the bottom of the sixth, junior Matt Lovercamp drew a one-out walk -- the first free pass issued by Brown, who struck out 10 batters. Up next, Wesley jumped on the first pitch.

"The second time at bat, he threw nothing but high fastballs, so I was expecting it," said Wesley, who had fanned twice --the first one after crushing a 360-foot foul ball. "Fortunately, he threw it a little bit in the zone."

What Wesley didn't foresee was the ball leaving the park, Frerking nearly getting a glove on it while crashing into the fence in left-center. "I couldn't tell it went out," Wesley conceded.

Catlett followed with a less-doubtful dinger to center field for an insurance run.

"Can I get some blood pressure medicine?" Fisher quipped after Catlett rounded the bases.

Kirchhoff set down Concordia (10-9) in order in the seventh on three grounders, the last two to sophomore third baseman Ross Tieman -- who was flawless in seven chances during the game.

It was the closest district final of the three in a row won by the defending state champions. The Chiefs (14-1) begin their quest for a third straight appearance in the MSHSAA Class 1 Championships by hosting District 16 champion Lone Jack in Monday's sectional.

With only three senior starters, it will take the kind of grit displayed Thursday for Santa Fe to get there.

"We stuck to it and kept playing to the end," Wesley said. "If you can finish a game, it's better than how you start it."