Baseball

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Article by Nate Parrish

It is always hard to beat a good team three times in a season and that was the case on Thursday evening as Whitewater High School baseball team fell to Jefferson 7-0 in the Regional final. Jefferson was able to score three runs in the top of the first inning and Junior Pitcher Ryan Brost never let Whitewater get any momentum as the left-hander located his pitches all evening and the Whippets managed just 3 hits. Jefferson will move on to play in the sectional semifinal against Columbus on Tuesday, June 5th at 1 pm. Whitewater finished the season at 14-9 and 3rd place, 1 game behind Beloit Turner and Jefferson in the tough Rock Valley Conference. Coach Pease said ”this loss was a tough one, I feel for every one of our players and especially our Seniors that have meant a lot to me and the program. This group put a lot of hard work into the season and things just did not go our way tonight”. Although the Whippets did not meet some of their team goals, they still had a successful year and were within a few plays of getting at least a share of the Conference Title. With a successful year, they also had some players received some all-conference recognition.

1st Team All-Conference

• Bryce Parrish- Utility
• Jimmy DuVal- Outfield
• Cooper Pease- Catcher

2nd Team- All-Conference

• Dylan Pease- Infield
• James Dedrick- Outfield

Honorable Mention – All-Conference

• Jordan Curtis
• Chris Dedrick

Bryce Parrish was also selected to the 2018 Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Classic to be played in Oshkosh on June 29th-30th. Bryce had one of the best seasons that any player has had at Whitewater High School by hitting over .450 with 10 doubles, 1 triple, 8 home runs, 34 RBI’s, 31 runs scored while having a pitching record of 6-1, 2 saves, 55 strikeouts, 7 walks and a 0.881 ERA. Bryce will play for UW Whitewater next season.

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Whitewater 12    Delavan-Darien 2   (Box Score)

By Nate Parrish

The Whitewater High School baseball team (14-8) had come into the start of the playoffs on a little bit of slide as they had lost four of the last five since sweeping Jefferson and earning the #1 seed in the region. On Tuesday evening the Whippets were able to turn things around and blow open a tight game late with a 12-2 6 inning win over Delavan. Delavan got off to a good start as they were able to get to Whitewater pitcher James Dedrick right away in the 1st inning and with the score 1-0 and bases loaded, one out, Coach Pease turned to Bryce Parrish to see if he could get them out of the jam. The Senior pitcher was able to induce a ground ball to 3rd baseman Dylan Pease who stepped on 3rd and fired across the infield, 1st baseman Danny Harnack had a beautiful 1 hop pick off the dirt to complete the double play and get out of the inning. Coach Pease would say “that was a huge play early in the game to hold them to 1 run if they score one or two more in that inning it really changes the entire game”. Whitewater would finally get something going in the 3rd inning against the Delavan ace as James Dedrick reached on an error and was followed by a Dylan Pease walk. Bryce Parrish would triple to center field scoring both runners for a 2-1 lead. In the 5th inning, the Whippets would tack on two more after a single by James Dedrick, Dylan Pease would move him to 2nd on a ground ball. Bryce Parrish was intentionally walked and Jimmy Duval answered the bell with a line drive single scoring Dedrick to make it 3-1. Parrish would later score on a wild pitch for a 4-1 lead. Delavan would answer in the 6th inning with back to back doubles to make it 4-2 heading into the bottom of the 6th. Chris Dedrick would lead off the inning with a walk, Jaden Salmieri followed with a pinch-hit walk and Alex Fero laid down a perfect bunt single to load the bases. James Dedrick would hit a laser one-hopper at the Delavan 3rd baseman playing in but had an errant throw home scoring 2 runs for a 6-2 lead. With 1 out, Bryce Parrish was intentionally walked to load the bases and Jimmy Duval would make Delavan pay again with a line drive single to left and a 7-2 lead. James Dedrick would score on a wild pitch and Cooper Pease would follow with a single to center scoring Parrish and Duval for a 10-2 lead. Chris Dedrick, who led the inning off with a walk, would take a 3-1 pitch out to left field for a home run and a 12-2 victory as the 10 run rule came into effect.

Whitewater was led by James Dedrick 2 for 4 with 2 RBI’s, Jimmy Duval 2 for 4 with 2 RBI’s, Bryce Parrish 1 for 2, triple and 2 RBI’s, Chris Dedrick 1 for 2 with a home run and 2 RBI’s, and Cooper Pease with 2 RBI’s. Bryce Parrish picked up the win on the mound tossing 5.2 innings allowing 3 hits, 1 run while striking out 7 and walking none. Coach Pease said, “hats off to Delavan ace Noal Brouwer (committed to Division 2 Purdue University Northwest) as he can really pitch. Our guys really battled and worked counts against him to give us a chance. Those good at-bats led to getting that pitch count up to 100 pitches after 5 innings and we were really able to get to their 2nd pitcher”.

Next up for Whitewater is Jefferson for the Regional Championship, the winner will move on to sectionals in Brodhead. The game is scheduled to be played Wednesday at 4:45. Come out and watch the Whippets play their last home game of the season.

Game 1: WHS 15   Big Foot 5   (Box Score)

Game 2: WHS 4   Elkhorn 9   (Box Score)

By Nate Parrish

Whitewater High School baseball team (13-7) was looking to bounce back against Big Foot after a couple of tough losses to McFarland that cost them a chance to win the Rock Valley Conference outright or even tie for the Championship. The Whippets struck early and jumped out to a quick lead in a 15-5 win that would end after 6 innings due to the 10 run rule. Whitewater scored 1 in the first inning and 7 more in the second for an 8-1 lead after two innings. Big Foot answered with 2 runs in the 3rd and 2 more in the 4th to make it 8-5 but Whitewater responded with 2 in the bottom of the 5th and 5 more in the 6th. The Whippets took advantage of 5 errors and 8 walks by Big Foot, which led to several runs. Alex Fero led the hitting attack by going 3 for 3 with a walk, 1 RBI and scoring 3 runs, Dylan Pease was 2 for 3 with 3 RBI’s. Bryce Parrish picked up the win on the mound going all 6 innings giving up 8 hits, 5 runs, 3 earned runs while striking out 4 and walking 3.

Immediately following the Big Foot game, Whitewater took on Elkhorn for the second game of a doubleheader on the evening. Whitewater would end on the short end of this game with a final score of 9-4. Whitewater was outhit 8-7 and had a couple of costly errors that led to the loss. Bryce Parrish was 2 for 4 with a double and Alex Fero was 1 for 2 with a double. The Whippets used 3 pitchers in the game as James Dedrick tossed 4 innings, Alex Fero 2 innings and Dylan Pease 1 inning. Coach Pease said “the last week has had a lot of highs and lows with the big wins over Jefferson then losing to McFarland and knocking us out of the conference race. We need to get back to throwing strikes, playing defense and having a good approach at the plate, if we can get back to that we can play competitive baseball but if we play the way we have the last few games we can be beaten by anyone. Now we need to focus on the next opponent and get ready for the playoffs”.

Article and Photo by Nate Parrish

A night after completing a regular season sweep over Jefferson the Whitewater High School baseball team ran into a buzz saw as McFarland swept both games of a doubleheader by scores of 14-10 and 9-0 eliminating Whitewater from the conference title race. Whitewater had several chances after falling behind 9-2 and 11-4 in game 1. They crawled back to 11-10 after 6 innings but McFarland scored 3 in the top of the 7th to put the game out of reach. Whitewater left 9 runners on base and hit several lineouts to end innings with runners on base that could have changed the tide. McFarland had 7 extra base hits and Whitewater committed 3 errors that proved costly. In the second game, Whitewater was held to three hits as McFarland collected 10 hits in a 9-0 final. Coach Pease was very disappointed in the overall performance “We came out flat and fell behind but got back into the game late, just could not get a couple key hits to keep an inning going in that first game. We need to play defense better and pitch better, if we make a couple plays early in the game it changes the momentum, once McFarland got going the hitting became contagious, give them credit for hitting the ball well but we need to do a better job across the board.”

Seniors Jimmy Duval, Bryce Parrish and James Dedrick were recognized for their 4 years in the program as  Whitewater celebrated Senior night. All three were Freshmen when Coach Pease took over as Head Coach and they were a big part of rebuilding Whippet baseball. All three Seniors are 4-year letter winners with Jimmy and Bryce 4 year starters and James a 3 year starter. All three have had various all-conference recognition and are Team Captains this year. Coach Pease would like to thank the Seniors for their leadership and what they have meant to the program. Coach Pease said “All three will hold a special place with me, not just because of the first kids to go all 4 years with the Coaching staff but the type of individuals they are. They are just really good kids that show up and work hard every day to get better and it has been a pleasure to not only coach them but get to know them, they have bright futures ahead of them”.

Box Score (Game 1)

Box Score (Game 2)

WHS 8   Jefferson 0

By Nate Parrish

The Whitewater High School baseball team completed a season sweep over Jefferson for the first time in over 10 years with an 8-0 win on Thursday night. The Whippet bats got off to a great start as James Dedrick led the bottom of the first off with a walk, Dylan Pease would sac bunt him over to second and Bryce Parrish would homer to left for a 2-0 lead. Whitewater would strike again in the 2nd inning as Cooper Pease would walk, Danny Harnack would move him over with a ground ball and Chris Dedrick would reach on an infield hit. After a balk was called on the Jefferson pitcher, James Dedrick would single driving in both runners and a 4-0 lead after 2 innings. In the bottom of the 4th inning Whitewater would add some insurance runs as Alex Fero would get things started with a one-out single, James Dedrick would follow with a line drive single and Bryce Parrish would also single to load the bases. Jimmy Duval would single to center scoring two to make it 6-0. After a Jefferson error, a fly ball would drop in by Cooper Pease for two more runs and a final score of 8-0. The hitting attack was led by Bryce Parrish 3×3, a home run and 2 RBI’s, James Dedrick 2×3 and 2 RBI’s, Chris Dedrick 2×3, Jimmy Duval and Cooper Pease had 2 RBI’s.

Bryce Parrish picked up the win on the mound by going 6.2 innings allowing 5 hits, no runs, striking out 10, and walking 1. Parrish would leave the game due to pitch count rules and Chris Dedrick needed 1 pitch to induce a ground ball to end the game. Coach Pease said, “it is a goal every year to go out and compete with Jefferson, they have been one of the top teams in the conference for many years and to pick up a couple wins is big for our program but most of all it is great for the kids. Now we need to build on the momentum”.

Next up is a doubleheader with McFarland at home on Friday evening with first pitch at 4:30

The State Baseball seedings were announced and Whitewater received the 1 seed and first-round bye with Jefferson earning the 2 seed. Whitewater will play the winner of Delavan vs East Troy and Jefferson will play the winner of Big Foot vs Clinton.  First tournament game for Whitewater will be Tuesday, May 29 at home with first pitch at 4:45

Box Score

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Article by Nate Parrish

Whitewater High School baseball team (11-4, RVC 11-3) remained in 2nd place, 1 game behind Beloit Turner, after winning a hard-fought 10 inning game at Jefferson last night, 6-4. The Whippets wasted no time getting on the board as Dylan Pease singled and, after Bryce Parrish was hit by a pitch, Jimmy Duval followed with an RBI single to left. Jordan Curtis would ground into a fielder’s choice scoring Parrish for a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the first. Jefferson would answer as Ian Drays had an RBI double followed by a Sam Cincotta RBI single to knot the game at 2. In the top of 3rd, Bryce Parrish would drill his 7th home run of the year to deep left, this time a solo shot for a 3-2 lead. Jefferson would answer again in the bottom of the frame with two outs, after Whitewater turned a double play, Jefferson would put together a couple of hits sandwiched between a hit batter and walk to take the lead at 4-3. The lead would stay that way until the 7th inning when Dylan Pease came up with a clutch hit scoring Chris Dedrick to tie the game at 4 and head to extra innings. In the 10th inning, Whitewater caught a break with 1 out as Dylan Pease was able to reach on an error, Parrish would ground out moving him over and after a Jimmy Duval walk, Jordan Curtis would come up with a huge RBI double to right center scoring two runs and giving Whitewater the 6-4 lead. Bryce Parrish would close the door in the bottom of the frame to secure the victory. Dylan Pease led the hitting going 2 for 5 with an RBI, Jimmy Duval was 2 for 4 with an RBI, and Jordan Curtis had 3 RBI’s including the game-winning double.

Whitewater used 3 pitchers in the 10 inning affair with James Dedrick going 4 innings allowing 5 hits, 4 runs while striking out 4 and walking 2 with 1 hit batter. Hunter Martin did a great job in relief tossing 4.2 innings, not allowing a hit or run while striking out 3, walking 2, and 1 hit batter. Bryce Parrish would pick up the win throwing 1.1 innings while not allowing a hit and striking out 3 with no walks. Coach Pease was excited for the team and said, “that was a great high school baseball game with a number of ups and downs, we hung in there and the kids never quit, I am so happy for the kids to pull out a victory like that one”.

The team will have a quick a turnaround as they will complete the home and home series on Thursday with first pitch at 4:45.

It should also be noted that the Friday doubleheader at Union Grove has been canceled and replaced with a doubleheader at home against McFarland – please come out and enjoy the weather and some good baseball.

Box Score

Bryce Parrish delivering a pitch vs Beloit Turner on May 10.

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Article by Nate Parrish

WHS 1 Beloit Turner 3

Whitewater High School baseball team (10-4) lost to 6th ranked Beloit Turner 3-1 in a very good high school baseball game on Thursday evening. Whitewater would get on the board first in the top of the 4th inning in what turned out to be a pitchers’ duel. Bryce Parrish led off the inning with a double and Jimmy Duval followed with another double for a 1-0 lead. Turner would come up with one of two very good defensive plays in the game to end the inning. With a runner on 3rd and one out, Whitewater hit a hard ground ball down the 3rd base line, Turner 3rd baseman made a great snag, was able to tag the Whippet runner trying to get back to 3rd then throw to first for an inning-ending double play. In the bottom of the 4th, Turner would tie the game on a squeeze bunt to make it 1-1. In the 5th, Turner would add one more run after a Whitewater error for a 2-1 lead. In the top of the 6th, Whitewater had a golden opportunity to tie the game or take the lead with bases loaded. Turner would make the 2nd momentum-changing play of the game as Cooper Pease hit a hard ground ball that looked like a hit but the Turner 2nd baseman made a diving stop and threw him out at 1st to end the inning. Turner would get one more in the bottom of the 6th for a final score of 3-1. James Dedrick and Dylan Pease were both 2×3 as the Whippets managed just 6 hits. Bryce Parrish took the loss going 6 innings, allowing 9 hits, 3 runs, 2 earned runs while striking out 4 and walking none. The loss keeps Whitewater in 2nd place in the conference as Jefferson lost to McFarland. Beloit Turner and Jefferson are tied for 1st place with less than 2 weeks left in the regular season.

Coach Pease said, “There is no quit in this team and we battled right to the end but they made a couple more plays than we did, but that’s baseball. The good news is we have a lot of baseball left to play and we will focus on getting better every day.”

Box Score

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Whitewater 8   Beloit Turner 11

Article by Nate Parrish

The Whippet baseball team (10-3, RVC 10-2) fell to 6th ranked Beloit Turner (11-2, RVC 11-2) by a final score of 11-8. The loss knocked Whitewater out of a 1stplace tie with Jefferson (RVC 11-1), as Jefferson defeated McFarland. With most teams having 5 – 6 conference games left over the next two weeks the race for the conference title is still up for grabs.

Beloit Turner was able to jump on the Whippets early by scoring 2 runs in the first and 6 more in the second for an early 8-0 lead. Whitewater would answer in the bottom of the 2nd as Cooper Pease doubled with 1 out. Hunter Martin singled scoring Pease and Alex Fero singled scoring Martin. James Dedrick, then, doubled to make the score 8-3 with the inning would end on the base paths. The Whippets answered again in the 4th as Bryce Parrish led off with a double and Jimmy Duval walked. After a failed sacrifice bunt attempt the led to a force out at 3rd, Hunter Martin singled scoring Duval making it 8-4 as the Whippets squandered some opportunities for a potential big inning. The Turner Trojans answered the call by adding 3 more in the 5th inning to make it 11-4 but the Whippets were not done yet. Alex Fero led off the 6th with a double, James Dedrick singled and Dylan Pease loaded the bases. Jimmy Duval would walk with 1 out forcing in a run and Jordan Curtis would single scoring 2 more to make it 11-7. Cooper Pease fouled out down the right-field line but Jimmy Duval tagged up on the play with some heads-up base running and made it 11-8. Unfortunately, the rally would stop there as the Whippets stranded 9 baserunners on the evening. James Dedrick led the hitting by going 2 for4 with a double and 1 RBI, Cooper Pease 2 for 4 with a double and 1 RBI, Hunter Martin 2 for 4 with 2 RBI’s, and Alex Fero 2 for 4, with a double and 1 RBI. Whitewater would get 11 hits on the night and had a number of chances to add to the run total. James Dedrick took the loss and Hunter Martin threw 5.1 innings in relief. Coach Pease felt we had some good chances at the plate and we squared a few balls to give us a chance but we needed to pitch better. The Whippets gave up 7 walks and 4 hit batters, which is uncharacteristic of Whippet Baseball. It is difficult to overcome that many free passes to a good team, and Turner must be given credit for coming out and taking advantage of it.

With a lot of games left, the team will need to bounce back on Thursday. The Whippets will travel to Beloit Turner for the second part of the home and home. First pitch is 4:45 at Beloit Turner High School.

Box Score

Bryce Parrish, pictured, was 2 for 3.

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Article by Nate Parrish

The Whitewater High School boys baseball team (10-2) scored 10 runs in the first inning in route to a 13-2 victory over Clinton. James Dedrick led things off with a triple and scored on a wild pitch. Dylan Pease would walk and Bryce Parrish singled to left. Jimmy Duval followed up with a double scoring both runners and a 3-0 lead. Cooper Pease singled scoring Duval and Chris Dedrick was hit by a pitch. Alex Fero then delivered a 3 run home run to make it 7-0. James Dedrick would single and Dylan Pease would reach on an error, Bryce Parrish doubled scoring both runners making the score 9-0. Jimmy Duval would follow up with a single scoring Parrish to make it 10-0 after the first inning. Whitewater would add two more runs in the second inning including a James Dedrick RBI single to make it 12-0. Clinton would get two back in the 3^rd inning and the Whippets would add another run in the 4^th inning as Sam Meyer was hit by a pitch, moved to 2^nd on a ground ball, then to 3^rd on a passed ball and scored on a groundout by Chris Dedrick to make the final score 13-2. Whitewater had 10 hits led by James Dedrick gong 3×4, triple and 1 RBI. Alex Fero – 2×3, double, home run, and 3 RBI’s, Bryce Parrish- 2×3, double and 2 RBI’s, Jimmy Duval- 2×3 double and 3 RBI’s. Dylan Pease got the win on the mound going 3 innings allowing 5 hits, 2 runs while striking out 2. Chris Dedrick and Alex Fero each threw one inning and did not allow a run. The defense added two double plays in the 1^st and 2^nd inning to stifle any potential momentum by the visiting Cougars.

Next up for the Whippets is Beloit Turner at home, Tuesday – 4:45 pitch. Please come out and support the team as Beloit Turner is state-ranked and a conference favorite; it should be some great baseball.

Box Score