Gibault punches ticket to 1A title game
May 31, 2013
By Sean Duncan
Executive Director
PEORIA, IL – Gibault scored seven runs in the last two innings to turn a close game into a 9-2 rout over Shawnee in a Class 1A state semifinal on a rainy Friday afternoon at O’Brien Field.
The late-inning outburst sends the Waterloo school to its first state championship game appearance, where it will play Putnam County at 11:30 Saturday. Gibault (24-11) should be the heavy favorite to win its first state championship, as the Hawks will have their highly regarded junior left-hander, Zach Neff (6-2), on the mound.
Junior shortstop Wes Degener led Gibault offensively. The athletic 6-foot-2, 185-pound left-handed hitter went 3-for-3 with two runs, one RBI and three stolen bases. His athleticism shined in the sixth inning, when he dropped down bunt for a hit, stole second base, and scored on two throwing errors, making it 3-1. Gibault tacked on three more runs in the inning to pull away from Shawnee.
Junior catcher Ryley Wallin delivered a two-run double in the sixth, and Junior first baseman Augie Ward added a two-run double in the seventh for Gibault.
Junior Austin Beccue (6-2) was in control for most of the game. The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder allowed only one hit in six innings work. He struck out six, walked five and yielded two runs, one earned.
Junior Aiden McMahan took the loss for Shawnee (22-7). He worked 5.1 innings, allowing five hits, six runs – two earned – with six strikeouts.
Related
- IL Putnam County rallies, advances to 1A title game5.31.13
- IL Daily Playoff Roundup: May 30 Games5.31.13
