FIREWORKS COME LATE FOR THE DANS

BY BRIAR NAPIER sports@dancomnews.com

The offensive fireworks didn’t come early on for Danville Dans baseball. But when they did, oh boy, did they in style.

Having to claw their way back from down 3-0 early in their game against the Lafayette Aviators, Danville tied the game, 4-4, in the eighth inning via a perfectly executed double steal, scoring right fielder Logan Carey.

The game was eventually sent to extra frames. From there in the bottom of the 10th inning came a two-out, bases loaded situation for the Dans, created by intentional walks of first baseman Michael Rothmund and designated hitter Nick Webre (LSU bound as well.

Enter pinch-hitter Mason Doolittle.

After posting a single when substituted for catcher Ben Schanding in the ninth, the 6-foot-4 inch, 225-pound Louisiana State freshman did one better by blasting Aviator reliever Brian Sharp’s pitch to deep center field for a walk-off grand slam, and an ecstatic 8-4 triumph in extras for Danville.

Doolittle, who was a part of his LSU’s Southeastern Conference Tournament championship team, knew where the ball was heading as soon as he heard the crack of his bat.

“Oh yeah,” Doolittle said with glee, holding his game-winning ball retrieved from the outfield, “I knew I got all of it. I wasn’t sure if it was going to go out, but I had knew I had at least cleared the center fielder. As soon as I had hit it, I knew we had the game won.”

Dan Head Coach Eric Coleman knows where his “big man” thrives with the bat in his hands, which is what he believes is a part of what makes Doolittle — a 2016 Under Armour All-American in high school and touted MLB prospect — a special talent.

“(Doolittle) got his grand slam that was well-over 400 feet, and reasons like that are why he’s going to LSU,” Coleman remarked. “He’s a big, physical kid and a hard worker, and he was a big part on why we we’re able to get this big team win.”

Pitching had to be on point for the Dans against the Prospect League’s current highest-scoring team in the Aviators, and is was plenty good enough for Coleman and his squad.

Eastern Illinois’s Dustin Wilson got things off to a good start by beginning the game with three earned runs allowed on four hits with five strikeouts in four and two-thirds innings, but it was the Dans bullpen that really shined.

Matthew Hoffman, Richie Misisichia and Jonah Ulane all combined the rest of the game to shut out Lafeyette on just two hits allowed, with Hoffman going the longest: the Northern Illinois junior struck out four on one hit allowed in three and two-thirds of work.

“Outstanding pitching from the guys tonight,” Coleman noted. “We held them at bay long enough until (Doolittle) got ahold of one…all that combined to help us get the victory against a good team.”

The result is massive for the Dans morale. After a four-game losing streak dating back to June 8, Danville has now won two straight after Thursday’s victory and Tuesday’s 7-0 triumph over the Quincy Gems. Plus, the Dans got revenge on Lafayette with the win, as the Aviators previously downed Danville, 11-4, in Lafayette on June 4.

Doolittle, as a result, hopes that his game-winner will help his squad keep their good vibes going.

“This is a really big win for us emotionally, after we didn’t do so hot to close out the week last week,” Doolittle said. “We can get a nice run going and we’ve done well to start this week with two wins. We’ve just got to keep playing hard.”