By Dan Messerschmidt

CCN Sports Director

BUCYRUS — Bucyrus coach Sean Maudsley thinks his team has enough pitching and defense to be a good team.

But with his team’s relative inexperience, Maudsley’s Redmen must learn to close a game.

South Central used to 5-run seventh inning to overtake Bucyrus, 6-2, in the season opener for both teams.

Isaiah Seidel went the distance on the mound for the Trojans, striking out 14 and walking just one.

“He’s only a sophomore but I trust him like he’s been out there four years,” South Central coach Ty Dendinger said. “He works so hard at it that he gives me confidence and he gives his teammates confidence.”

“We couldn’t hit the curve ball and that’s what (Seidel) used predominantly in those late innings,” Maudsley said. “He’s a very good pitcher and has very good command of his pitches. But we had a chance to win.”

Indeed, the Redmen scratched out two runs in support of starting pitcher Trevor Ley, who went the first five innings, striking out five, walking two and surrendering just one unearned run.

That run scored when Ben Lamoreaux was safe on an error, went to second on a walk and scored on a single by Grant Seidel.

The Redmen tied it in the fifth. With two outs, Ryan Evans reached on an error, stole second and scored on the second error of the inning.

Bucyrus took the lead in the sixth when Todd Spurlock was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a single by Noah Parker, advanced to third on a fielder’s choice and scored on a sacrifice fly by Kale Scott.

“(Isaiah) continued to locate pitches,” Dendinger said. “In that last inning, he lost his curve ball a little bit. But he focused on finishing with the fastball and he gave us the best opportunity to win.”

It paid off. Trailing 2-1 entering the top of the seventh, the Trojans started the winning rally with the bottom two in the order.

Pinch hitter Tyson Cooper drew a lead-off walk. Curtis Fredericks beat out an infield single and Simon Blair walked. Andrew Madison singled to tie the game, then two consecutive errors plated four more runs.

“Our key to this year is going to be fielding,” Maudsley said. “I think we have a pretty good defense. I don’t know if they believe it yet.”

Five Bucyrus errors led to four unearned runs, which was the ultimate difference in the game.

Madison, Lamoreaux, Grant Seidel, Timmy Jayes and Fredericks all singled for the Trojans. Madison and Seidel drove in runs.

Parker singled twice, while Gram Dick, Lucas Kozinski and Ben Seibert all singled for the Redmen.

“I’ve been head coach six years and I said, ‘I’d like to win the first game of the season,’” Dendinger said. “It was all from the kids’ will to win and not giving up.”

“Trevor pitched well,” Maudsley said. “He kept us in it.

“With errors and walks, we gave them 11 extra base runners,” Maudsley said. “They gave us six extra runners. That was the difference in the game.”

South Central    000 100 5     6 5 4

Bucyrus              000 011 X     2 5 5

WP: Isaiah Seidel (14 SO, 1 W)

LP: Ben Seibert (0 SO, 3 W)

HR: None

Triples: None

Doubles: None

Multiple hits: (B) Noah Parker 2.

Records: South Central 1-0; Bucyrus 0-1.

Next: South Central at Colonel Crawford, today; Bucyrus at Crestview, today.