Frankfort earns semifinal baseball berth

BY MIKE ECKERT
meckert@record-eagle.com

June 10, 2009 07:05 am

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TRAVERSE CITY -- As a state semifinalist a year ago, Frankfort knew what to expect in Tuesday's Division 4 baseball quarterfinal at Traverse City Central.

Norway did not.

The inexperienced Knights made a couple of costly errors and the Panthers took advantage for a 4-0 win and a second straight trip to Battle Creek for the state semifinals.

"We're hoping that they're not going to be happy just to be there, but to do something when they're there," Frankfort coach Mike Zimmerman said.

The Panthers (37-1-3) will play a 32-6 Beal City squad Friday at Bailey Park in Battle Creek.

Norway, a first-year program, finished the season 13-5-1.

"To make the quarterfinals, we are proud of that," Knights coach Tony Adams said. "There is no shame in losing to Frankfort this year. They've got a good team. I wish we would have had a little more for their pitcher, but he's a hard thrower and a good player."

Norway hasn't had varsity baseball since the 1960s.

"We beat some good teams to get here in Harbor Light and Rudyard," Adams said. "It's something to build on."

The Knights made five errors in Tuesday's game and several turned into Frankfort runs.

"That's kind of what we've talked about all year, that's what good teams try to do," Mike Zimmerman said. "We got lucky today and they mishandled a couple of bunts and it opened some doors for us."

After three scoreless innings, Devin Gokey made it 1-0 Panthers when he led off with a walk, stole second and came home on a Cameron MacArthur double.

Frankfort posted two more in the fifth inning as Chris Tondu scored on a suicide squeeze and Kyle Zimmerman scored on a throwing error when he attempted to steal third base.

Then in the seventh, MacArthur got on with a fielder's choice, took second and third on an error and came home on a passed ball.

Early on, the game was a pitcher's duel between a pair of sophomores in Zimmerman and Norway's Josh Brodersen. Zimmerman had seven strikeouts in the first three innings while Brodersen fanned six in the first three frames.

"I'm just trying to throw strikes," Kyle Zimmerman said. "I know the defense has got me if I throw anything they hit. They've been playing good all year, so I'm not worried to let them hit it. I'm going right at them, and if they hit it we're making plays."

Zimmerman, who set a school record in Saturday's regional with 17 strikeouts, finished Tuesday's contest with 13 strikeouts. He allowed three walks and four hits.

"He battled a sore arm and we had to shut him down for three weeks," Mike Zimmerman said. "He's still not back to 100 percent, but he's getting better."

Brodersen took the loss with eight strikeouts, seven hits and three walks.

MacArthur had two hits for the Panthers while Zimmerman, Tyler Stratton, Tim Stieve, Nick Tondu and Kyle Brouillet each had a hit.

Norway only threatened once when the Knights loaded the bases in the second inning. However, Zimmerman got out of the jam when he struck out Jake Meneghini.

"We had a couple of tight games last year, and we got out of it," Kyle Zimmerman said. "That helps a lot, having all of that experience."

The pitcher is hoping that experience will play into Friday's game. Last year, the Panthers lost 9-3 to Lutheran Westland. Frankfort returns all but four players from last year's squad.

"I think it helps a lot," Kyle Zimmerman said. "We've all done it before, so when we get in tight games, we don't get too nervous anymore."

Norway is hoping to build Tuesday's game into experience in the future.

"We have baseball in Norway, just not high school baseball," Adams said. "The kids got a taste for it this year. We're young and we don't have a JV team. I have freshmen and sophomores out here, and only four seniors."

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