Glenmora nearly matched University High's hit total in Game 1 of their best-of-three series Thursday night, but the Cubs defense had most of the answers.
Behind a sterling defensive effort that included four double plays, the third-seeded Cubs overpowered No. 14 Glenmora 9-2 in Division III, select regional-round action at U-High.
The win moves U-High (23-8) within one game of advancing to the quarterfinals. The Cubs and Wildcats will play Game 2 at 4 p.m. Friday, and a third game, if necessary, would follow.
The Cubs turned three double plays in the field, and also got one in the fifth when second baseman Jake McCann snared Trypp Thomas鈥 liner and doubled up a runner at first. Even so, it took left fielder Slade Jindal鈥檚 diving catch in foul territory to get the Cubs out of the at-bat.
鈥淚n the playoffs, we try to make the m.o. of our program as one that responds,鈥 U-High coach Justin Morgan said. 鈥淗ow do you respond when things don鈥檛 go exactly the way you want to? Glenmora did a great job at the plate in the middle innings, making us pitch and play defense.
鈥淲hen we had to make a play I thought our guys did a great job.鈥
The benefactor for U-High鈥檚 defensive play was pitchers Brody Mayeaux and Grant Sunstrom. Mayeaux started and went five innings striking out four while issuing three walks. Sunstrom gave up two singles in the sixth, but got just what he needed with an inning-ending double play.
Offensively, U-High took control with a five-run second inning. U-High scored its runs on two hits, two walks and two errors that were the result of pressure applied by Cubs baserunners.
The key play came early in the at-bat when Slade Jindal laid down a bunt with runners at first and third. The first run scored on the play, and Glenmora first baseman J.T. Thrasher鈥檚 error opened the door for four additional runs.
Cole Connor, Jaxon Simoneaux and Bryan Olsson each had two hits and drove in a run for U-High. Connor had a double and a triple, and scored two runs.
Glenmora (19-10) was led by Thrasher, who was 3 for 3 with an RBI. The Wildcats also got a solo home run from Keyon Bordelon, whose blast over the left field wall came after Cubs catcher Simoneaux threw out a runner at second base.
鈥淭here are some things we need to clean up,鈥 Morgan said. 鈥淚 thought Glenmora actually outplayed us in a couple of areas. The challenge for our guys, and they know it, is to be at our best for seven innings.鈥
GHS 000 200 0 鈥 2 7 2
UHS 052 002 x 鈥 9 9 1
W 鈥 Brody Mayeaux. L 鈥 Wyatt Gillespie.
Leaders 鈥 GHS: JT Thrasher 3-3; Keyon Bordelon 1-3, HR. UHS: Ethan Hopkins 2-3; Cole Connor 2-4; Bryan Olsson 2-4.
Team records 鈥 U-High 23-8, Glenmora 19-10.
