5-04-2018 10:41am

BASEBALL: O'Keefe Drives in 6, Weidmayer Returns to Mound as Saline Sweeps Monroe

Jack O’Keefe hit two bases-loaded doubles and drove in six runs as Saline defeated Monroe, 13-3, Wednesday, to sweep the season series with the Trojans.

O’Keefe’s first three-run double came in the third inning, scoring Jacob Ohren-Hoeft, Noah Nelson and Ethan Collick, to give Saline a 4-1 lead.

Okeefe clears the bases. 10-3 Saline pic.twitter.com/9Q0wzUd96s

— TheSalinePost (@TheSalinePost) May 2, 2018

His second three-run double scored Ohren-Hoeft, Cole Daniels and Collick, to make it 10-3 in the fourth inning.

The game was called after the top of the fifth because of the 10-run mercy rule.

Logan Evans was the winning pitcher. He allowed three hits and two walks while striking out four. He gave up one earned run and two unearned runs.

Ohren Hoeft had the first big hit of the 4th, a 2 run double pic.twitter.com/3QZpr6yTu8

— TheSalinePost (@TheSalinePost) May 2, 2018

Ohren-Hoeft went 3-for-3 with two doubles and three RBI and a stolen base. Noah Nelson went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, a double and a stolen base. Paul Kiyabu went 2-for-3 with a triple, two runs scored and an RBI. Vinnie Patteri went 2-for-4 with a double, RBI and run scored.

Some of the best news of the day came when Saline completed the game that was suspended Monday due to darkness. Saline won 12-1. Danny Weidmayer made his first appearance on the pitching mound since the state championship game. Weidmayer pitched three scoreless innings of relief, giving up two hits and walking none. He struck out three. Weidmayer injured his knee playing football. The original timeline had Weidmayer missing the entire season. But through hard work and dedication during his rehabilitation, Weidmayer was able to come back much earlier than expected.

“It’s honestly a dream come true just to come back. So it felt really good,” Weidmayer said.

Danny Weidmayer took the hill for the fist time since the state championship game. pic.twitter.com/gZALKT8Afc

— TheSalinePost (@TheSalinePost) May 2, 2018

Weidmayer said he remembers laying on the football field, realizing his life was about to change.

“But I had friends and family around me. I had a great surgeon. (Saline athletic trainer) Jamie (Corl) helped a lot, and so did Dave over at ATI. Everyone was supportive. The guys helped me,” Weidmayer said. “It was just great to be back.”

Coach Dave Sontag said Weidmayer’s return provides the club with a substantial boost.

“He’s back well before anyone could have expected and that’s a testament to his dedication,” Sontag said. “For us, it’s huge. We’re adding a kid who started in the state championship game last year. He’s got such a great attitude and he’s a terrific leader.”

Saline also hopes that senior Paul Kiyabu, who’s been held off the mound to date, will soon be healthy enough to pitch. Kiyabu is another senior with much playoff experience.

Weidmayer was credited with the win. Lance Blaszak started Monday and went three innings, giving up one run (zero earned) on five hits and a walk. He struck out three.

Jack O’Keefe went 2-for-2 with a double and four RBI. Jayden Belskus went 2-for-2 with two RBI. Brad Baldus was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Reagan Miller was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Cole Daniels was 1-for-1 with a double and RBI. Kiyabu also doubled.

Saline bounced back from tough weekend in Ohio to take three games from Monroe. The Hornets are 9-0 in the SEC Red.

The Saline Post 3 Stars (from Game 3 of the series).

Jack O’Keefe – O’Keefe seems to like batting with the bases loaded. He drove in six runs with two doubles.
Jacob Ohren-Hoeft – Went 3-for-3 with a double and three RBI.
Noah Nelson - Doubled and singled twice. He also stole a base and scored three runs.