Top 9 Division I Moments of 2009; #5

#5 Pipe Yard Party

The Pipe Yard in Lorain was host to the 2009 Horizon League Tournament

  

Lets face it, we all dream of it. Championship game, ninth inning, two outs, your team is down a run, runner in scoring position and you’re at the plate.  

For Wright State and Kory Twede the dream became a reality. A reality that could not have been scripted better in Hollywood.  

Twede a senior in 2009, was staring the end of his collegiate career dead in the eye before stepping in the batter’s box. Illinois-Chicago was one out away from claiming the Horizon League Tournament title with a 2-1 victory, and Wright State was an out away from seeing a season end.  

Then it happened.  

  

Before we get there we have to recap the events before the dramatic ninth inning.  

In playing UIC for the second time in the double-elimination tournament Wright State went toe-to-toe with the reigning eight-time Horizon League champion. Unable to secure the league’s automatic bid falling 3-0 the previous night, Wright State returned to the Pipe Yard in Lorian for a winner-take-all rematch. The extra game allowed Coach Cooper to send out his ace in Alex Kaminsky as the NCAA hopes of the Raiders rested on his shoulders.  

Kaminsky did his part.  

In 5.2 innings pitched on short rest, Kaminsky yielded just four hits, no runs, allowed a walk and struck out three. Unfortunately the Wright State bats were being equally restrained by UIC starter Chris Kovachevich. As a result Kaminsky exited with the score knotted at 0-0. Still he did everything he could to ensure his team would not be defeated this Sunday afternoon.  

Horizon League Relief Pitcher of the Year Michael Schum relieved Kaminsky and put on a career-defining performance.  

The Raiders did get on the scoreboard first as in the top of the seventh inning Casey McGrew singled to start open the frame. The single was followed by a Quentin Cate sacrifice bunt advancing McGrew into scoring position. After a strike out, Kory Twede stepped to the plate following a UIC pitching change. Twede on a 1-2 count rudely greeted new pitcher Derrick Miramontes with a single through the left side, bringing McGrew home for the first runs of the game.  

The score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the eighth inning. UIC facing the last six outs of their season would compile a rally that seemed to leave them with one foot in Lorain and the other in a NCAA Regional.  

Back-to-back singles, followed a inning-opening fielding error to tie the game at 1-1. Schum would strike out the next UIC batter in John Rosinski before plunking Nathan Orf, loading the bases with one down. A Ty Rubio single to left-field would drive in the go ahead run, however McGrew threw out Brett Schaefer at the plate, keeping the score at just 2-1. A lazy fly out to right ended the UIC rally, the damage was done though.  

Facing their last three outs of the 2009 season, the top of the ninth appeared to get off to a doomed start as Jeff Mercer would appear to go down swinging before the pitch escaped catcher Steven Humble allowed Mercer to reach first. Funny how the smallest of opportunities can turn into a big outcome.  

Mercer advanced to second on a McGrew sac bunt, putting him in scoring position with one out. Cate with a chance to deliver would go down swinging. Ryan Ashe would step into the box with a chance to play hero, but he would draw a walk. The stage was set for Twede.  

On an 0-1 pitch Twede singled back up the middle, driving in Mercer tying the game at 2-2 and giving Wright State renewed hope.  

Jake Hibbered grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the inning with the score tied 2-2 and with a new ballgame on hand.  

The hiccup Schum had in the eighth inning would be all UIC would knock Schum for. The last four innings of Schum’s 6.2 innings pitched, only two singles, a hit batter, and a base on ball, would be all UIC could muster.  

The score remained 2-2 until the top of the 12th inning where Tristan Moore drove in Aaron Fields on a RBI-double after Fields walked with one down putting WSU in front. Moore would score on a throwing error at home, after Cate reached on the fielder’s choice. McGrew who was intentionally walked before Cate batted would score with him courtesy Ashe’s 2-RBI single to center giving Wright State it’s final 6-2 margin.  

The victory advanced the Raiders to their third NCAA Regional and their first Horizon League tourney title since 2006. Twede was named US Army Player of the Game as well as Horizon League Tournament MVP. Kaminsky for his performance would receive all-tournament team honors along with Ashe, Twede, Mercer, Garrett Gray and RJ Gundolff.  

The awards were great for Twede but the memory of living out a dream in the most dramatic fashion was a moment that will forever live in Raider-lure.

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