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Ottawa American Legion AAA third baseman Blake Firestone dives back to first base on a pick-off attempt Wednesday against the Kansas Senators during the Zone 2 Tournament in Ottawa. Ottawa nipped the Senators, 3-2.

Dramatic victory

Ottawa's veterans make clutch plays

By GREG MAST, Herald Sports Editor

Money players make plays that make a difference. Ottawa’s trio of five-year American Legion baseball players came up huge Wednesday in the first round of the Zone 2 Tournament in Ottawa.

Catcher Kyle Altic blasted a two-out solo home run in the top of the ninth to give Ottawa a 3-2 lead. Pitcher Joe Malin gave Ottawa eight strong innings, giving up just two runs.

Freddie Adamson gunned down two runners at the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning from center field and then pitched the ninth for the save in Ottawa’s 3-2 win over the Kansas Senators.

In the tourney opener, Blue Valley nipped Osage County, 2-1. Blue Valley scratched in a run in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Today’s action has Osage County facing the Senators at 5 p.m. in an elimination contest. Ottawa (29-5) and Blue Valley battle at 8 p.m. in a winner’s bracket contest.

For Altic, it was his most clutch hit of his baseball career, which has spanned more than a decade.

The Ottawa catcher worked a 2-0 count and waited on a pitch in his wheel house. He turned on it and it was a no-doubter as it sailed over left field.

“That was the pitch I was looking for,” Altic said. “It was in the back of my mind [hitting a home run]. I was not going to try for it. On 2-0 and 3-1 you look for something and drive it.”

Ottawa coach Shawn Herrmann said, “It was a big hit for us. We needed a pick me up [hit].”

The only reason that turned into a game-winning hit was because of the clutch play of his fellow 19-year-olds.

The Senators were finally getting a bead on Malin in the eighth with four hits. Twice the Senators singled to center and a runner attempted to score from second base with the game tied at 2-2.

Both times Adamson threw a strike to Altic, who applied the tag on the runner for the outs.

“Freddie’s throws were huge,” Herrmann said. “They were as big as Kyle’s hit.”

Malin had the Senators off-balance the whole game.

“I wanted to get six innings out of him,” Herrmann said. ”He said he could go nine.”

Altic and Malin have been battery mates since their early years of playing together.

“I like catching Joe,” Altic said. “He works quick.”

Herrmann made the decision to go to Adamson in the ninth because of his make-up.

“Freddie’s a gamer,” Herrmann said. “In the biggest games, I want him on the hill. I knew Freddie could bring it.”

The final out came on Altic’s throw to third as a Senator tried to go to advance after the Ottawa catcher mishandled a pitch.

Ottawa broke a scoreless game two runs in the fifth inning. Derek Huddlestun reached on an error and scored on Jake Moore’s two-out single. Moore took second on the throw to the plate.

Devin Martin, who had two hits, hit a ground-rule double to score Moore.

The Senators scored one in the sixth and eighth innings to tie the game.

Herrmann liked how his team responded in a close game.

“Good teams find a way to win,” Herrmann said. “We had to make plays.”

Altic said a dramatic win like this could propel Ottawa back to its winning ways after last weekend’s two losses.

“Everybody was pumped up after the last out,” Altic said. “It was good to get a win under our belt.”

Greg Mast can be reached at sports@ottawaherald.com.

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