Columbus East’s Will Rieckers makes the throw to home for an out against Jennings County Thursday April 28, 2022 at Columbus East.
BLOOMINGTON — Late into Friday night, Columbus East and Bloomington North were scoreless through five innings, and the way Ethan Ianni and Caden McCoy were pitching, it looked like it might stay that way for awhile.
Chase Zapfe had other ideas. The East junior smacked a two-run double in the sixth inning, and the Olympians held on for a 2-1 win in the Bloomington South Sectional semifinals.
“I just wanted to make contact,” Zapfe said. “I had two strikes on me, so obviously, it felt great to get one in the gap there and score them. I’m just happy to do it for the seniors. Ethan Ianni pitched a great game, and I’m just happy to keep this run going.”
Ethan Ianni
Ianni scattered eight hits, allowing only one run in the bottom of the sixth, and striking out 13.
“The defense was great behind me all night,” Ianni said. “I never had to worry about any of that. The ball got put in play, and I knew they had my back. We really had momentum going there at the end, so I’m just glad we pulled through.”
The win avenges a 13-3 five-inning loss at Bloomington North nine days earlier.
“Last week after Bloomington North put it on us, Ethan told me he wanted the ball, and I’m absolutely going to give it to him there,” East coach Jon Gratz said. “He threw a heck of a game.”
The Olympians (12-16-1) advance to Monday’s sectional final, where they will meet host Bloomington South at 6 p.m.
“It’s great,” Ianni said. “Everybody is getting a chance to experience it. That was just a big momentum booster for us tonight, and now, we’re looking forward to Monday.”
East split a doubleheader at Bloomington South on April 30, dropping the opener 6-5 and winning the second game 8-2. Ianni pitched the first game, and Parker Harris threw the first 5.2 innings and Will Boyer the final 1.1 in the second contest.
Boyer likely will get the start for the Olympians on Monday.
“We had them in a doubleheader early in the season, and we did really good, so I think with one of our better pitchers on the mound, we’ll be good to go,” said Zapfe, who had two doubles, a home run and four RBIs in the doubleheader at Bloomington South.
“We just have to come out and play,” Gratz added. “They’re a great team. Obviously, when you’re moving on in the tournament, that’s what you’re going to see. We have to play clean baseball, hit the ball, run the bases and throw strikes.”
East will be seeking its third sectional title in the past four postseason tournaments.
“It’s obviously a goal to win every game in the tournament,” Gratz said. “We just take it one step at a time. Step 1 was tonight and Step 2 is Monday.”
