Vandals Insider: Steal of home plate prompts discussion

MULBERRY GROVE – Jake Shulman and Carson Smith didn’t want to wait to decide.

So they each trotted out to centerfield following Tuesday’s game at Mulberry Grove to have a little race to see which player was faster.

“It all came from a discussion about being aggressive on the base paths,” said coach Luke Hohlt following the 11-0 victory. “Carson actually called the steal of home. He said, ‘I think I can get this.’”

Smith’s steal of home came during a six-run fourth inning, and was actually a play that Shulman had wanted to try when he was on third base in the second.

“Two innings earlier, Jake was on third, and said the same thing,” Hohlt said. “I said, ‘Now is not the right time.’

“Later, I made the comment, ‘Carson might be a little faster than you,’ and Jake said, ‘I don’t think so.’”

And so the race began.

Shulman was favored by most of his teammates, but Smith edged him in the short sprint.

Highlight reel

Senior Leyton Godoyo used his leaping ability to his advantage every game during basketball season, as all players do.

But when he showed some air in stabbing a line drive on Tuesday, it left the dugout in a frenzy.

Godoyo robbed Mulberry Grove’s Dalton Crisman of a single in the third inning, seemingly hanging in the air for several moments before doubling off a runner at first base.

“That was pure athleticism,” Hohlt said. “I honestly thought it was over his head, but he just kind of hung there in the air.”

It’s not you

Senior Michael Wells wanted to pitch a complete game against the Aces after striking out seven and allowing just five base runners through four innings.

But to his dismay, he was lifted for sophomore Jake Bowen, who closed out the game with a strong fifth inning.

The move was made strictly to give Bowen an inning of work, and Hohlt said he had planned to pitch Bowen for at least two innings if the game had gone seven innings.

Hohlt added that he was pleased to see that Wells wanted to stay on the mound.

Happy birthday

Colin Ledbetter turned 17 on Tuesday, and though he didn’t reach base, he did get an RBI on a fielder’s choice in the second inning.