MAY 28, 2021, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A23
“Trevor had a great at-bat. That double
really sparked us,” Keeker said.
A sacrifice bunt by Noah Fischer
brought the winning run to third base
with one out. Mayer popped out to first
base for the second out of the inning,
which brought Aicher to the plate.
“I was looking middle-in and didn't get
it at first. Then he gave me middle-in on
that third pitch and I was able to put it
where I wanted to,” Aicher said.
Aicher pulled the 2-1 delivery to right
field, which fell for a hit, scoring Ratliff
from third and giving McNary the victory.
“It felt amazing. There is nothing bet-
ter than that. I got up there a little nervous
but I was able to get it done,” Aicher said.
“It is so much fun when you touch first
and then you see everyone coming out of
the dugout. It was just a great feeling.”
Logan Ready started on the hill for
game two against Mountain View. The
Cougars got a run in the top of the first
on a wild pitch, but the Celtics answered
back in the bottom half on a two-run sin-
gle by Cooper Cripe.
Ready, however, struggled mightily
in the top of the second, giving up five
hits and two free passes, which led to
five Mountain View runs. He didn't fare
well in the top of the third either, giving
up two singles and a walk before being
replaced by Aaron Nease.
“Logan has really been fighting this
year with his command. He will be fine
and he will find his way in the summer-
time. For him, it's about getting back to
where he has the mental confidence in
both of his pitches, and he will because
he has proven that he can be lights out,”
Keeker said. “He will bounce back.”
Trailing 11-2, the Celtics started to fight
back in the bottom of the fourth. After
back-to-back singles by Griffen Hubbard
and Fischer, Mayer was hit by a pitch,
which loaded up the bases. Hubbard
would come in on a wild pitch and an RBI-
single by Smedema got Fischer home
from third. Kaiser would come through
moments later with a sacrifice fly to right
field to trim the deficit to 11-5.
“We battled. I wish we could have some
of those at-bats back. We were close, we
just couldn't string enough together for a
big rally,” Keeker said.
Mountain View extended their lead
to 13-5 before McNary junior Nate Allen
came to the hill with one out in the top of
the fifth.
Even though it was his first outing with
the varsity team, Allen proved that he
belonged, throwing 2.2 innings without
giving up a run or a hit.
“Nate had some success for us. He
had a great opportunity today and took
advantage of it,” Keeker said.
McNary finishes the season with an
11-8 record, winning three of their last
four contests. Although it was an up and
down season at times, the Celtics bring
back the vast majority of their roster,
which has Keeker looking forward to
next season.
“If I look at the season as a whole, I am
super proud and super happy with what
I saw,” Keeker said. “We rallied together
during the ups and downs and beat some
good teams.”
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Speed Bump By DAVE COVERLY
Griffen Hubbard celebrates after hitting a triple.
Photo by MATT RAWLINGS of Keizertimes