Springfield wheels and deals for big win over Jacks

Springfield’s Billy Wheeler is an outstanding three-sport athlete. But when pressed he will say that baseball is his favorite and he showed why Thursday at Riverside Park as he dodged a hail of bullets in the first inning and went on to two-hit Windsor for a 6-2 victory in what could be very important Division II win for the Cosmos.

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Published May 27, 2011 in the Rutland Herald

Springfield wheels and deals for big win over Jacks

By POODY WALSH

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield’s Billy Wheeler is an outstanding three-sport athlete. But when pressed he will say that baseball is his favorite and he showed why Thursday at Riverside Park as he dodged a hail of bullets in the first inning and went on to two-hit Windsor for a 6-2 victory in what could be very important Division II win for the Cosmos.

Springfield entered Thursday’s game in 16th place at 3-11, but because so many teams are jumbled in the standings with five or six wins, and some still have key games to play, a Springfield win over Hartford on Saturday could conceivably move the Cosmos up several notches.

Wheeler was the complete-game winner and he knew he was lucky to be around when the game was over. The senior had an awful time finding the plate to start the game as he walked two and hit another in the first inning, and there was a Springfield error and a wild pitch. However, Wheeler wiggled out of the jam, giving up just one run, as he struck out the final two batters with the bases loaded.

“That first inning was rough,” Wheeler said. “I just couldn’t find the strike zone.”

Windsor coach Don Swinyer knew that when Wheeler escaped with just one run scored on him that the Yellow Jackets had missed a huge chance.

“We just didn’t put enough balls in play with men on,” Swinyer said. “When you go up against a good pitcher like Wheeler you have to take advantage of your opportunities.”

The game was also pivotal for Windsor as the Jacks were coming off a stunning, 2-1 win over Brattleboro just 24 hours before and if they could have closed out the season with a win Thursday and a victory at Woodstock on Saturday, they could have made a run at a top-eight finish and a first-round home game. But not now as the Jacks 4-10 record will send them on the road for their first playoff game.

Wheeler finished up with a two-hitter with eight strikeouts. He gave up six walks, but just one after the second inning. The senior had particularly good luck with his breaking ball.

“They loved swinging at that curve,” he said.

Springfield coach Larry Partridge has endured some not-so-happy days this season, but realistically knows that this is the time of year to play your best baseball.

“This was a big win for us, really nice,” Partridge said. “Billy got stronger as the game went along and an I think we caught Windsor flat after their big win yesterday.”

Swinyer didn’t deny the letdown as he listed some mental errors and some physical errors as well. The Jacks had seven miscues and the go-ahead came across on a messed-up rundown.

With the score 2-2 in the fifth, Springfield’s Eric White was on third when Taylor Fontaine bounced a grounder to the Windsor third baseman. White broke for the plate and was caught in a rundown — which was extended by White’s running ability — before Windsor threw the ball away, allowing the lead run to score.

The Cosmos scored once more in that inning on a Jeremy Currie sacrifice fly and added two more in the sixth on an error and Ethan McAllister’s RBI single.

Levi Johnson also pitched a complete game for the Jacks. He was charged with all six runs, but only four were earned. He gave up six hits with four bases on balls.