The North Lincoln baseball team faced a challenging situation against East Lincoln in the NCHSAA 3A West playoffs. With runners at first and second base and no outs in the fifth inning, it appeared East Lincoln was ready to take control of the game. However, a sudden rainstorm suspended play, providing North Lincoln with an unexpected break.
When play resumed after a brief delay, North Lincoln seized the opportunity, scoring six runs and securing a decisive 7-2 victory over East Lincoln. This win marked a significant milestone for the team as they advanced to the next round of the playoffs.
Coach Goss’s Reflections
Coach Charlie Goss reflected on his team’s performance, noting that "the situation didn’t actually unfold the way we thought it was going to." Despite being down by one run with runners on base and no outs in the fifth inning, his players remained focused and determined. They pitched their hearts out, supported by a solid defense throughout the game.
Player Highlights
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Matthew Phuntek: Goss praised Phuntek for his outstanding performance at bat. Phuntek has been hitting well all year and demonstrated his skills once again against East Lincoln. His ability to get crucial hits made a significant difference for North Lincoln.
Phuntek attributed his success to hard work, stating, "I went into today knowing what I wanted to accomplish – getting some more hits under my belt." He emphasized the importance of having fun while playing baseball, saying, "[If I’m not playing good ball], [I’ll go home early]."
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Eli Sipe: Sipe contributed by setting up Dellinger with an RBI single after walking and stealing second base earlier in the game.
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Beckett Rinkus: Rinkus also made a significant impact by adding an RBI double later in the game.
Conclusion
Despite facing adversity early on due to the rain delay, North Lincoln proved resilient, overcoming challenges to secure a crucial playoff win against a tough opponent, East Lincoln High School. Coach Goss highlighted the importance of hard work and dedication, stating, "That kid works every day," referring to Phuntek’s commitment to improving his skills. Having players willing to put in extra effort makes all the difference for the team.
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