Rockets in prime position to repeat

Another nail-biting finish over a conference rival has Cedar Grove-Belgium High School’s baseball team on pace to repeat as Big East South champs.

Austin Knapp laced a two-out, go-ahead two-RBI single on a line drive to center field in the top of the seventh inning at Random Lake last Friday, and the Rockets hung on for a 3-1 win to sweep the season series.

The Rockets are 4-0 among conference contenders — all in harrowing finishes — in beating Kohler and Random Lake this season. They beat Kohler, 2-0 and 1-0, and on April 28 beat the Rams 7-6 on a walk-off hit by Carter Schmitz, then again on Friday.

“We’re the only conference losses they’ve had, and they still have to play each other. We’re sittin’ really good,” coach Tom Race said.

“We can’t take anything for granted.”

The Rockets as of last week were 8-0 with four Big East South games left. Random Lake was second at 4-2 and Kohler was next at 3-2.

Carter Schmitz allowed three hits, four walks and one earned run while whiffing 10 in 6-2/3 innings before hitting the 100-pitch limit. Griffin Knight struck out the final batter.

In the seventh, Schmitz walked, Cade Borden struck out and Knight singled to center. Seth Race flew out to left. Ira Hilbelink hit a grounder past the third baseman when Knapp stepped up.

Knight had three hits in the game and Hilbelink had two.

On Saturday, a seventh-inning rally fell short in a 9-6 loss at Kewaskum. The Rockets beat the Indians, 7-0, on April 5, but Race knew this tie would be different.

Trailing by five in the top of the seventh inning, the Indians brought in their ace, Kingston Grisolono, to finish the game.

Knight led off with a hit. Seth Race struck out, Hilbelink got a hit and Knapp hit into a fielder’s choice. Brayden Oelhafen clocked an RBI double, and runners were on second and third. Grisolono got Connor Waters on a strikeout to end the game.

“You can’t ask for more. One base hit and it’s 8-9,” coach Race said. “It’s kinda how the whole season’s gone. We’re never out of it.”

Knight’s hustle got the Rockets on the board in the first inning. After getting a base hit, Seth Race bunted. Knight ran full speed to second and saw nobody was covering third. Coach Race gave him the go sign and Knight slid in safely, head first. Hilbelink, who is hitting .422, followed with an RBI sacrifice fly.

Knight started and allowed three earned runs, three hits and four walks while whiffing two in two innings. He was at nearly 50 pitches and Race wanted him to throw against Howards Grove on Monday, so he pulled Knight to stay within the pitching limit rules.

Seth Race came in and allowed six runs (four earned), five hits and three walks while whiffing one.

A key play came on a hard liner to Borden in left field that tailed away from him. Borden chased it but slipped on the wet ground, allowing two runs to score.

“In great conditions, he likely catches it,” Race said.

Kewaskum moved to 11-4.

The Rockets, 12-2 overall, were to play at Howards Grove on Monday. They play at Pewaukee on Friday, May 9, and at Sheboygan Lutheran on Monday, May 12.