Chiefs need one win to return to state

The first big blow for the Chiefs was a two-run, two-out singles to right field by junior Jake Hollingsworth for a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning.
(Chris Allen/Democrat-News)

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However, the top-ranked Chiefs put up crooked numbers during their final four turns at the plate to bury Lone Jack, 12-3, in the MSHSAA Class 1 Sectional at Alma, the fifth straight playoff win for the defending state champions.

Although Santa Fe was blanked during the opening three frames, it never trailed -- despite the Mules' threat in the bottom of the first inning when a hit batter, error and walk loaded the bases. Senior Taylor Wesley got out of that jam unharmed and didn't allow a hit until senior Daniel Hedrick -- son of Lone Jack head coach Mike Hedrick, a Missouri Valley College grad -- doubled to lead off the fourth.

Once again, the Mules left runners on base, and by that time needed to score all they could.

That's because the Chiefs had broken through in the top of the inning against junior right-hander Austin Warren, who had held them hitless through the first three stanzas.

Wesley was plunked to begin the rally, going to third base on a steal and wild pitch. Senior Ben Catlett singled him home, but then sprained an ankle while advancing on freshman Dalton Wilkinson's single.

Catlett was lost for the game -- and likely for the next round, too -- with Wilkinson displaying his strong arm after taking over at catcher.

A grounder moved both runners into scoring position with two outs, with junior Jake Hollingsworth delivering a clutch two-run single for a 3-0 lead.

Juniors Hunter Rolf and Matt Lovercamp and Wesley singled to start the fifth, each scoring -- on a pair of grounders and senior Logan Kirchhoff's sacrifice fly. Four two-out errors in a row by Lone Jack led to two unearned runs in the sixth.

Santa Fe scored its last four runs with two outs in the seventh. Sophomore Ross Tieman reached first base on a swinging bunt and scored on Rolf's double to the base of the fence in center field. Lovercamp and Wesley followed with homers, for each their team-high seventh of the season.

Lovercamp relieved Wesley in the fifth and retired five batters in a row before the Mules ruined the shutout with four consecutive singles from senior Jake Corcoran, freshman Nick Love, junior Brock Sears and freshman Christian Phelps.

Two runs came in on Warren's bouncer to short when the relay throw on a double-play attempt got away, but Lovercamp finished off the victory with a one-hopper back to the mound and strikeout.

Lone Jack (11-10), which got two hits from Corcoran, saw only its second playoff appearance end a round earlier than its first one in 2004.

Santa Fe (15-1) is 9-5 in post-season play, having reached the sectionals for the sixth time since starting its program in 1999 -- the third year in a row under head coach Josh Fisher.

The Chiefs will look for their third straight trip to the MSHSAA Class 1 Championships when it plays Lakeland, a 7-3 winner over Hume, in quarterfinal contest today at Deepwater.