COLDWATER – Owen Tappenden picked a good time to have a great performance. Probably, the best pitching performance of his lifetime considering the circumstances.
Tappenden pitched Coldwater to a 1-0 win over Otsego in a Division 2 regional semifinal game in high school baseball action at Coldwater High School on Wednesday, June 3.
“That was incredible. We all played together as a team. We pitched great as a team,” Tappenden said. “I knew we would have to battle because its the playoffs. I have never pitched this well in a game this big. I will remember this game for the rest of my life.”
Coldwater, at 20-16, advances to the Division 2 regional final to play Wayland (23-7) at Stevensville-Lakeshore at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 6.
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Tappenden allowed just one hit and walked one, striking out 10 in six-and-a -third innings, leaving the game with two outs left due to pitch count limitations. Dayton Ennis came up with the last two outs to get the save for the Cardinals.
“What an amazing performance by Owen and Dayton,” Coldwater coach Randy Spangler said. “Outstanding job by a senior in Owen, who is going to Kellogg (Community College) to pitch. This was probably the best performance he had in his career overall.”
Otsego starting pitcher Kaleb Hildebrand nearly matched Tappenden, as he only allowed three hits against the Coldwater lineup, striking out eight over seven innings.
The only run of the game came in the fifth with the Cardinals’ Royale Fleming scored on a fielder’s choice groundout by Luke Stout.
“This is fantastic to get a win like this with the team we have. We have two seniors, three juniors and the rest we call them the diaper dandies,” Spangler said. “So this is a bit of a surprise to be in a game like this and win a game like this. But, we knew we had this with this team. It has just come together so far in the playoffs for us.”
Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter: @billbroderick
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Coldwater hurler shines in baseball regional, ‘I have never pitched this well’
Reporting by Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer / Battle Creek Enquirer
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By Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer | USA TODAY Network
