Baseball

Tigers baseball team wins subregional, moves on to states

By Michael Boytim

mboytim@altoonamirror.com

PITTSBURGH -- The best players perform well even when their opponents are prepared for them.

Hollidaysburg senior Carson Kensinger was the focal point of every film study the Obama Academy high school baseball team did going into Tuesday's District 6-8-9 Class 5A subregional game at Greenway Field.

He responded by going the distance on the mound, striking out 12, allowed just one unearned run and also hit a two-run home run and scored three times for the Golden Tigers in a 5-1 victory that clinched a spot in next week's PIAA playoffs.

"This is a very young team," Obama Academy coach James Helterbran said. "To only give up five hits, and in the first inning we gave up two runs on iffy plays, we were right there going into the sixth until the kid who is a stud on Hollidaysburg was more than advertised. He pitched a gem and hit one over the fence. We had him circled and highlighted. He performed well. He's an excellent player."

Before Kensinger even took the mound, he had a 2-0 lead.

Obama Academy starting pitcher James Lozecki, who pitched well in a 3-1 win over DuBois last week, struck out the side in the first inning but was hurt by his defense and some battles with his control.

Jake Hileman reached on an error to start the game and went to second on a Kensinger single. Both moved up on a two-out walk to Cayden Gibbons, and Lozecki walked Brady Steiner and Keagan Hockey in back-to-back plate appearances to force in runs.

"We talked about driving out here two hours and trying to get off to a good start," Hollidaysburg coach Jon Szynal said. "We were fortunate enough to come out and do that. It was nice to see. Offensively we weren't at our best today, but we got what we needed."

Kensinger retired the side in order in the bottom of the inning but gave up his only run in the second when he hit Chad Helwich, who stole two bases and came home when the throw to third went into the outfield. Kensinger rebounded by striking out the side.

"We wanted to start off with some first-pitch strikes," Kensinger said. "The past couple starts, I have been having some struggles in the first inning getting the ball over the plate, but we have been adjusting really well."

Kensinger played a role in the next run by drawing a walk to lead off the top of the fifth inning. With runners on first and second and one out, Steiner laid down a bunt and Kensinger never stopped running from second when the throw to first was made. He slid in safely under the throw to make it 3-1.

"I just wanted to get some guys moving because not much was happening," Szynal said. "(Kensinger) had a great read and did that on his own. I was watching the play at first. He did that on his own, and he's just a good baseball player that did a little bit of everything today."

The next inning Kensinger put the game out of reach with a two-run home run off Helwich, who had come on in relief.

"It's something you dream of," Kensinger said. "This is a state run. It's something we haven't gotten to do. Whatever it takes to help the team win and help us keep going. This means everything to me. I have been working for this all off season every off season. This is the first time we actually get to make a run, and we're going to do damage."

Kensinger allowed just the second hit of the game in the bottom of the seventh inning but retired the final three batters in just five pitches, finishing off an 85-pitch complete game.

"He's really impressive," Szynal said. "He worked really efficient today and threw so many strikes. He's been so consistent for four years and especially here recently. That's why he's the No. 1 pitcher."

Hollidaysburg will take on the WPIAL third-place finisher in the first round of the PIAA playoffs on Monday at a District 6 site.

"This is the first time in a long time that Hollidaysburg has moved on to the state playoffs," said Hileman, who scored twice, singled and drew a walk. "We are all excited for the opportunity to make a run at it. We have been playing really well. When we hit, we have good fielders and good pitching. When we put it all together, we're a tough team to beat."

Hollidaysburg improved to 14-6.

"It means a lot to this program and especially these seniors," Szynal said. "They have worked hard. We have been doing a lot of this on the road, and it's a blessing for these guys. I'm really proud of them."

HOLLIDAYSBURG (5): Hileman cf 321, Karageanes 1b 401, Kensinger p 232, Banks 3b 300, Gibbons c 200, Bell cr 000, Steiner ss 201, Hockey 2b 200, Michaels rf 400, Szynal lf 300. Totals--25-5-5.

OBAMA ACADEMY (1): Mauk 3b 300, Myers rf 300, Ehman lf-cf 301, Helwich cf-p 210, Gray c 301, Lozecki p 000, Allen dh-lf 300, Johnson 2b 200, Rawlings ss 200, Clark 1b 200. Totals--23-1-2.

SCORE BY INNINGS

Hollidaysburg 200 012 0 — 5 5 1

Obama Academy 010 000 0 — 1 2 1

E--Gibbons, Johnson. 2B--Steiner. HR--Kensinger. RBI--Kensinger 2, Steiner 2, Hockey. SB--Hileman, Hockey, Helwich 2. SAC--Banks, Steiner. HBP--Helwich (by Kensinger).

PITCHING

Hollidaysburg: Kensinger (W)--7IP, 2H, 0BB, 1HBP, 12K, 1R, 0ER, 85 pitches.

Obama Academy: Lozecki (L)--4 2/3IP, 3H, 6BB, 5K, 3R, 1ER, 89 pitches; Helwich--2 2/3IP, 2H, 2BB, 4K, 2R, 2ER, 46 pitches.

Records: Hollidaysburg (14-6); Obama Academy (10-7)