Scott Oxarart
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 5/06/2008
Reno High coach Pete Savage loves two-out rallies. Like any coach, he sees the momentum building when his team battles to get hits and runs.
Against Galena High on Thursday, Savage saw one of the best two-out rallies in school history.
The Huskies scored 13 runs on six hits with two outs in the second inning and went on to beat Galena, 20-4, in the semifinal game of the Northern 4A Regionals at Damonte Ranch High.
“It’s just one of those things, I love to score runs with two outs,” Savage said. “It shows a mentally tough team when you do that. We just play one pitch at a time and keep working.”
The Huskies (28-6) will play at Bishop Manogue in the Zone championship Saturday at 1 p.m. Galena beat Spanish Springs, 10-5, earlier in the day to play Reno.
The 20 runs and 15 hits were the highest totals of the season for Reno. Thomas Wood led the Huskies going 2-for-3 with four RBIs and a double.
“We came in knowing we were going to have to put up runs because (Galena) is a great team,” Wood said. “Then with two outs, we just totally unleashed. With two outs that’s what you want to do. It pumped everyone up. We just go up there hitting for the guy behind us. You know, if we get a hit the guy behind us gets to hit.”
The bottom of the second inning lasted about 45 minutes and Galena starting pitcher Levi Stafford gave up 10 earned runs on seven hits and five walks.
Tom Jameson pitched three innings for Reno, giving up no runs on two hits and one strikeout.
Reno spread out its offensive attack with Skyler Kachurak and Shawn Walters each driving in three runs with Austin Nyman, Pat Gallagher, Glenn Wallace and Cavin Hill driving in two.
Kachurak started the second inning rally with an RBI single to right centerfield.
The offense explosion also allowed Reno to use eight pinch hitters while Galena used six pitchers.
“Our guys were patient and got good pitches to hit,” Savage said. “We carry a big roster. It was important for every guy to work hard and we were able to get some at bats.”
Galena was down 20 before hitting three home runs in the fifth inning. Luke Hess and Eric Underwood each hit solo home runs and Brian Pointer hit a two-run shot.
Reno will now point its focus toward Bishop Manogue.
“Manogue is obviously a talented team and a top-notch program,” Savage said. “It should be an exciting game. They’re very well coached.”