Westminster Advances To State Quarterfinals Behind Matheny's Magic Bat

picked a good time to break through a hitting slump that had plagued the star at the plate during district play. The junior centerfielder hit a grand slam en route to an 8 RBI afternoon, as powered past Lutheran 14-3 in six innings to open state sectional competition Tuesday.

 The Cougars had staked starter Austin Klein, who Matheny said had shut them down in a 5-4 Lutheran win earlier in the season, to a 3-1 lead into the 4^th inning, when Klein got into a two-out jam. With runners on 2^nd and 3^rd, a Klein pitch hit Connor Larson in the helmet (he returned to the game after having a pinch-runner). After a four pitch walk to Collin Henry to force in a run, Matheny stepped to the plate and clubbed a towering shot over the right field fence for a grand slam.

“I kind of knew off the bat,” he said.

Matheny said he felt like he let his teammates down as the without their Rising Star Award finalist getting a hit until the championship game. The coaching staff said he was trying to do too much, so the junior took a relaxed approach going into sectional play.

“I had some help from my dad (former Cardinal Mike Matheny) working my swing out so one thing I went up there thinking was just relax and hit the ball hard and whatever happens, happens,” he said.

Lutheran head coach Dennis Lueck  said his squad was still in it, even after the momentum shift with the home run. “We didn’t make a couple of plays we should have after the grand slam and we’re still in the ballgame.” Our defense kind of had a meltdown there an inning or two. We’ve been coming from behind all year with our offense, and it didn’t pick it up”

Westminster added three runs in the 5^th, chasing Klein, who is headed for the Lindenwood University baseball team in the fall. The Wildcats added five more in the 6^th, including a bases loaded RBI single which drove in two runs to close out the scoring.

As the teams exchanged postgame handshakes, Westminster Pitching Coach Andy Benes made a point to spend time with Klein. “He’s the best guy we faced all year, by far, he’s just really really good. We were able to square up a few balls, but I just wanted to say something to encourage him,” Benes said, adding how difficult it is for pitchers to maintain command of the strike zone after hitting a batter.

Lueck credited Klein and his fellow seniors for helping turn the program around, even if there was disappointment that the season ended short of a trip to Springfield.

“They did a great job. Before these guys really got on varsity I think the program won 9 games in 3 years,“ Lueck said. “These seniors won 40-something games in their three years so 21-7 this year, great season.”

Westminster advances to host Thursday’s state quarterfinal against Kirksville (17-11) which defeated St. Francis Borgia Tuesday.

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