Roger Butler: '...We loosened up a little bit and they executed better after we had a few innings under our belts.'
SHABBONA – Genoa-Kingston baseball coach Roger Butler knew his players would be anxious at the plate on opening day.
Despite having favorable counts against Indian Creek starting pitcher Raymond Ragan, the Cogs swung early and often, stranding four runners in the first two innings.
But the Cogs’ plate awareness quickly improved as they defeated host Indian Creek, 11-4, on Wednesday behind a six-run fourth inning.
“It was a big confidence thing,” Butler said. “We weren’t afraid to let them swing today. I wanted to see how we could execute. At the beginning of the game, our execution wasn’t so hot. But we loosened up a little bit, and they executed better after we had a few innings under our belts.”
G-K totaled 10 hits in the game, including four in the fourth inning.
Ragan struggled to find the strike zone, battling wind gusts of up to 20 mph. The junior pitcher finished his debut with four strikeouts and nine walks in 41/3 innings.
Indian Creek coach Kevin Poterek said that despite Ragan’s shaky performance, he’s still confident in him and the rest of the team. He pointed out the difficulties of switching from indoor practices to outdoor games.
“They capitalized, and we didn’t as much,” Poterek said. “I think with [Ragan] … it took him a while to get adjusted to our field mound. It’s a lot different compared to the other one [indoors].
From the first inning to second, he had a much different approach.
“But it was great to get out and play a game today. I told our guys we just need to learn to capitalize on the other team’s mistakes. If we make an extra effort here, an extra effort there, then we’re right there with them.”
Nick Gargani had two strikeouts and three walks in three innings pitched for G-K.
“[Gargani] is a 100 percent [effort] guy,” Butler said. “He has been working hard, and he’s one of the guys who has experience.”