A Day in the life of the 1976 Indian Baseball Team
May 1976
By Bob Howard
Of The Daily Light Staff
Sunday, May 2, 1976
“WHS INDIANS NIP TIGERS IN 5-4 DISTRICT CLASH”
LANCASTER – Another come-back effort and the home-run hitting of Ty Armstrong and Jerry Kelly backed the pitching of John McAdams (8-2) here on a bright, windy Saturday afternoon as the Waxahachie Indians nipped the Lancaster Tigers 5-4 in a North Zone District 8-AAA baseball clash.
It was the second time this week the Indians (4-1) had to come from behind to nail down a victory. They overcome a 5-0 lead at Connally Tuesday for an 11-6 win and it was 3-0 Lancaster before the Tribe put it all together.
Both teams enjoyed loaded-bases situations in the first inning, but Lancaster was the only team to get anything out of the inning. They scored three times while the Tribe got nothing.
“This was the game we needed,” coach Mike Turner sighed after the game. “Lancaster is just snake-bit. They have lost 6-4 (Ennis), 4-1 (Waxahachie), 4-3 (DeSoto) and now 5-4 to us. They are a better team than that.”
McAdams was not sharp on the hill against the Tigers and coach Turner remarked, “he struggled all the way. His control wasn’t sharp, but we worked on that after the game at Richards Park.”
Coach Turner said “McAdams wanted to work on some of the fine points that he is failing to do in his pitching.” McAdams was ill most of the week with stomach flu and after the first inning, settled down to pretty well keep the Tigers in check.
Yields 7 Hits
He surrendered seven hits, two earned runs, four walks and struck out three in a route-going performance. Kevin Kalmus was the loser. He allowed the Tribe seven hits, walked five and fanned six.
Armstrong’s two-run drive in the fifth frame scored Kelly ahead of him to tie the score at 3-3 and Gill Southard’s two-out triple to left center and Lumpkins’ bad-hop single over short scored Southard to give the Indians a 4-3 lead after five frames.
Lancaster came right back in its half of the inning to knot the score. Kalmus’ drive to short was bobbled and he reached second when the throw went into the dugout. Mike Ives singled him to third and he scored on a fly ball to Kelly in center. A razzle-dazzle double-play erased the Tigers’ threat on a long drive to right center and Kelly’s great running catch robbed Ed Gatlin of a home-run for out number two. Kelly dropped into the ditch in right center and flipped the ball to right fielder Brett Johnson, who relayed to Armstrong in the infield and Armstrong tossed to Bill Stroope at first to trap Ives for the third out.
Oh, yes, the ditch in right center. Lancaster’s baseball field has a deep swag across the right center and right field area and any ball reaching that area and the player’s feet disappear, it’s a home run. However, a catch can be made in the area.
Kelly Homers
Kelly, who had drawn three walks and scored twice, stepped in to open the top of the sixth for the Green and Kalmus finally gave him something to hit. He drilled a one-one pitch to deep right, over the ditch, and rambled home with the winning run.
Lancaster got its 3-0 lead in the first frame on one hit, a fielder’s choice, a sacrifice fly and three walks. Del Gatlin drew a walk to open the game for the Tigers and Mike Loyd knocked down a hard-hit bouncer off Mark Stephens’ bat and threw him out for the first out. Kalmus walked and Ives singled to right to load the bases.
Gatlin scored on a walk to Dan Haight, Kalmus scored on Ed Gatlin’s bouncer to short and all hands were safe when Armstrong came off the bag early and the ump signaled Haight safe at second. Pogue lifted a fly ball to right which scored Ives after the catch and McAdams ended the inning by getting Dan Edwards on a pop to Armstrong.
Tigers Threaten
Lancaster threatened with a pair of hits in the second and fourth frames and had two men on with two out in the seventh when McAdams got Ed Gatlin on a fly ball to Kelly in center.
The Indians scored a run in the third on a lead-off walk to Kelly, a bouncer moved him to second and Southard’s bad-hop single to third put Kelly at third and Southard at first. The Tribe pulled its patented first and third play and Southard’s move to second caused Kalmus to balk and Kelly walked home to score.
The win opened second round play in the zone for the Indians and keeps them hot on the heels of the DeSoto Eagles (6-0) Lancaster’s record is 1-5 in loop play.
Waxahachie, 17-4 on the year, takes on the Mexia Black Cats (7-0 losers to DeSoto Friday) in a 7:30 p.m. game at Richards Park Tuesday. Coach Turner has named Robert Dulin (4-2) to start on the hill for the Tribe.
Armstrong and Southard belted two hits each for the Tribe and Del Gatlin and Ives paced Lancaster with a pair each.
Monday, May 3, 1976
“TRIBE MEETS MEXIA HERE TUESDAY NIGHT”
Waxahachie’s Indians host the Mexia Black Cats in a District 8-AAA baseball game at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Richards Park and will be favored to annex their fifth conference triumph of the season.
Coach Mike Turner’s Indians are in second place, one and one-half games behind zone leader DeSoto. Mexia is in last place with an 0-6 record with two games remaining.
Tuesday’s appearance will mark Mexia’s last engagement with Waxahachie as a District 8-AAA foe. Waxahachie transfers to 6-AAA next year and Mexia returns to Class AA next fall.
While the Indians are playing Mexia under the lights here Tuesday, the Green and White club will watch with interest the outcome of the Ennis game at DeSoto. Ennis needs to win to remain in the race, while DeSoto, with a win, can clinch a tie for first place, having only Waxahachie to play after Tuesday night.
Robert Dulin (4-2 for the year) has been named as starter for the Redskins against the Black Cats Tuesday night.
The game here is the next-to-last home contest of the regular season for the Tribe, which invades Ennis Friday afternoon to battle the Lions. Then on May 11, DeSoto invades Richards Park in the final district contest and it all depends on how the Tribe makes out in its last three games whether the season will be extended.
Waxahachie is the defending North Zone champion as well as District 8-AAA champion.
Thursday, May 6, 1976
“WHS REDSKINS PREPARE FOR BATTLE WITH LIONS”
It’s really pressure time for the Waxahachie Indians, defending zone baseball champions, when they invade Ennis Friday night to do battle with the Maroon and White-clad Lions. Game time will be 7 p.m.
While needing a victory has been the Tribe’s outlook this season in circuit play, Friday’s game is even more important for it’s up to the Green and White of Coach Mike Turner to catch up with DeSoto’s Eagles who own a 1 ½ game lead over the WHS nine.
Waxahachie has to win at Ennis and also at home next Tuesday against DeSoto in order to claim a share of the zone championship. The Indians lost to the Eagles in their first encounter. DeSoto is idle Friday night.
Ennis, which lost to Waxahachie in the first meeting of the two clubs played at Richards Park, is out of contention for the title. The Lions fell to DeSoto Tuesday night for their third loss.
Seek 2nd Place Tie
The Lions, arch rivals, will be out to battle the Redskins right down to the wire for they have a chance of sharing second place with the Tribe. If Ennis wins and Waxahachie loses its last two encounters, the two county teams would deadlock for second place.
However, the Indians are alerted to the danger of taking victory for granted over Ennis. The Lions will be out to atone for their 4-0 loss to the Redskins.
Expected to take the mound for the WHS nine to tame the Lions is Johnny McAdams, the top hurler for the Green and White team. McAdams didn’t pitch Tuesday against Mexia but did see some action at first base. Thus he should be raring to go against Ennis.
Spirits High
The Indians should be in a fighting, relaxed mood as they travel to Ennis Friday night from the starters down to the lowest reserve. Coach Turner let all of his Indians play against Mexia Tuesday night and the spirits of the players soared as a result. Batting averages also went up for some Warriors as the Tribe shellacked Mexia 16-0.
A large number of WHS fans is expected to follow the team to the Ennis side for the diamond action. Waxahachie had a tough game on its hands in the first outing with the Lions before walking off with a 4-0 decision. The Lions are expected to be tougher to beat on their field and a tense struggle is expected to develop. It’s going to be one of those WHS-Ennis games which should draw a capacity crowd.
Friday, May 7, 1976
“INDIANS PLAY ENNIS TONIGHT”
It’s backs-against-the-wall time for the WHS Indians as they journey to Ennis tonight for a 7 o’clock battle in North Zone District 8-AAA baseball action.
The Lions are out of the race, but would like nothing better than to knock off the Tribe and give the North Zone title to the DeSoto Eagles, who are idle tonight. DeSoto leads the race with a 7-0 record and the Indians are right behind with a 5-1 record.
Coach Mike Turner’s Tribe will take batting practice at Richards Park today before boarding the bus for the short trip to Lion country.
Senior John McAdams will get the nod to handle the pitching chores for the Indians. Stu Lumpkins will catch; Bill Stroope will play first base; Ty Armstrong, 2B; Mike Loyd, 3B; Donald Steele, SS; Gill Southard, LF; Jerry Kelly, CF; and Brett Johnson, RF.
The Indians have the Lions tonight and a win would set up the game of the year at Richards Park next Tuesday when DeSoto visits for the final game of the regular schedule.
Sunday, May 9, 1976
“INDIANS WALLOP LIONS TO STAY IN ZONE RACE”
Who said it was “Too Wet” to play baseball at Richards Park Saturday? A lot of energy and time by the WHS Indians and coach Mike Turner turned the mud of the diamond into playable condition and the Ennis Lions came a-calling only to meet the tough pitching of the Tribe’s John McAdams and an eight-hit attack that led to a 5-0 zip of the “home” team.
Ennis’ field was too wet and the Lions were forced to play at Richards Park. The Lions set the time, brought the umpires and played as home team.
Many fans attending the 26th annual Waxahachie Indian Booster Club’s Achievement Award dinner at the WHS cafeteria didn’t get to see much of the fast moving game. At 8 p.m., the game was in the seventh inning, the Indians at bat and the score 4-0 for the guests. That gave a few late arrivals a start until it was realized the Indians were the “guests.”
McAdams (9-2) was around the plate with strikes all night, coach Turner said, and “We played great defense. Loyd’s (Mike) great play on a bunt to get the first out in the fourth was something to watch and the great stab by Steele at short and his throw nearly nipped Gerald Nichols at first on the next play.”
Ennis Threatens
The game was scoreless through four frames with Ennis threatening in the second on back-to-back singles by Brad Newberry and Sammy Molina with nobody out, but the Tribe came up with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth on Steele’s lead off single (second baseman James Hill fielded the ball, but just held it without throwing), a perfect sacrifice bunt by Mike Morgan and Jerry Kelly moved Steele to third on a single and Kelly reached second on the throw to the plate.
Ty Armstrong’s fly ball to center scored Steele with the first run and Kelly, tagging on the catch raced to third on the throw to the plate and Lion catcher Steve Moore’s throw to third was bad and Kelly romped home to give the Green a 2-0 lead.
McAdams got the first two Lions in the bottom of the fifth before Clint Morales and David Beggs reached him for singles, but Hill skied to center to end the threat.
Gill Southard opened the Indians’ sixth frame with a single to left, Stu Lumpkins popped to first and Bill Stroope singled to put runners at first and second with one out.
Southard Scores
Brett Johnson’s ground ball was booted by Hill with Southard scoring on the error and Stroope moving to the corner. Steele drove a pitch to left with Stroope scoring after the catch to make it 4-0.
McAdams retired the Lions in order in the bottom of the sixth and Waxahachie made it 5-0 in the seventh on a single by Armstrong, a sacrifice bunt by McAdams and Lumpkins’ run-producing single to right.
It was one-two-three in the bottom half of the seventh with pinch-hitter Jon Paul Monreal’s drive to Kelly in center wrapping up a great win over the Lions and it set up the big clash between the Eagles of DeSoto and the Big Green of WHS next Tuesday night, at 7:30 at Richards Park.
“It should be a barn-burner,” coach Turner remarked. He predicted prior to the start of the season that the race would boil down to the final game between the Eagles and the Tribe. “We are at that point now and the Indians are ready.”
McAdams hurled the distance for the Green and allowed five hits, no walks and struck out six enroute to his shutout victory. Troy Byers lost to the Tribe for the second time this season. He gave up eight hits, five runs, three walks and whiffed three in his seven inning stint.
Kelly and Armstrong led the attack with two hits each; and Southard, Lumpkins, Stroope, and Steele added one each. Nichols, Newberry, Molina, Morales and Beggs hit safely for the Lions.
Monday, May 10, 1976
“INDIANS TACKLE EAGLES IN CURCIAL 8-AAA BATTLE”
There’s going to be more than 850 fans at Arlington Stadium tonight for the “Waxahachie Night in honor of Paul Richards” and Tuesday night the WHS Indians (6-1) take on the DeSoto Eagles (7-0) for the North Zone District 8-AAA title before what is hoped the biggest, noisiest bunch of WHS fans to grace the stands this season.
The game means the crown for DeSoto and it means a tie for the title and a shot at knocking off the Eagles in a one-game playoff for the Indians.
DeSoto won a 5-1 game in first round action and it puts the Green and White’s season on the line in Tuesday’s contest. A victory by Coach Mike Turner’s Tribe would force a playoff, Friday, May 14, and the winner would represent the zone in play for the district title against the South Zone winner.
The Indians (19-4) have worked hard this season and come up with a fine defensive team coupled with some great pitching from senior John McAdams (9-2), freshman Robert Dulin (5-2), junior Kevin Martin (3-0) and sophomore Barry Navarro (2-0).
The hitting has perked up the past few games with Jerry Kelly, Gill Southard, Ty Armstrong, Stu Lumpkins and Donald Steele coming through with clutch hitting.
The Indians allowed Lancaster four runs and zipped Mexia and Ennis since losing to DeSoto while the Eagles have been having problems getting by Lancaster and Ennis (4-3) wins, but show the mark of a good team by winning the close ones. Tribe pitching has allowed 13 hits the past three games with the Tribe belting 29 baseknocks.
Tuesday’s clash will see the top pitchers in the North Zone facing each other. McAdams will square off against left-hander Steve Mobley and it should be something else to watch.
The Indians deserve the support of Waxahachie, so don’t be late for the 7:30 p.m. game. Let’s fill the stands with Indians fans. Get ‘em, Green.
Tuesday, May 11, 1976
“INDIANS TACKLE DESOTO TONIGHT”
The Waxahachie Indians take on the DeSoto Eagles at 7:30 tonight at Richards Park with the North Zone District 8-AAA crown at stake.
Coach Mike Turner’s Indians are 6-1 and they must win over the unbeaten Eagles (7-0) to get a tie for the title and a chance to win a playoff spot against the South Zone winner for the District championship.
Starting pitchers will be John McAdams for the Tribe and lefty Steve Mobley will be on the hill for coach Bennie Jones’ Eagles.
Mobley bested McAdams 5-1 in their first meeting.
Probable starters for the Eagles are Billy Bishop, 3b; Rick Keller, c; Brad Garnett, 1b; Jim Russell, cf; Alan Adamcik, ss; Barry Russell, dh; Dave Ryan, rf; Barry Reddick, lf; and Bobby Staehs, 2b.
Going for the Tribe tonight will be Jerry Kelly, cf; Ty Armstrong, 2b; McAdams, p; Gill Southard, lf; Stu Lumpkins, c; Bill Stroope, 1b; Brett Johnson, rf; Donald Steele, ss; Mike Loyd, 3b; and designated hitter Mike Morgan.
A large crowd is expected for the game and WHS fans are urged to get out to the park early and root the Indians to victory. Get ‘em, Green.
Wednesday, May 12, 1976
“WHS INDIANS OUTLAST EAGLES, SHARE ’76 ZONE CHAMPIONSHIP”
By BOB HOWARD
Of The Light Staff
A packed house at Richards Park watched the darndest baseball game seen in those confines in many a day as the WHS Indians tried to give the DeSoto Eagles the North District 8-AAA flag outright but just let ‘em have a taste of it before trimming the Eagles 10-8 and grabbing a share of the title for the Green and White Tuesday night.
It was a thriller from the opening pitch to the last. The Tribe didn’t play up to par defensively (7 errors), but just kept coming back at the Eagles time and again to trim three-run deficits to one, peck away for a couple to trail by two, fall behind again by three and WHAM --- a 5-run sixth frame sewed up the Tribe’s fourth straight win or share of the North Zone crown.
The suspense was enough to warrant oxygen and nitro pills for those with heart problems and left the standing-room-only crowd limp at the finish.
The large crowd of Eagles fans was counting its second win over the Tribe, but this group of youngsters “Never quit”, coach Turner exclaimed.
“We tried to give it away, but the kids showed the ability they have. They reached back somewhere and grabbed hold of it to keep coming back and keep coming back,” the coach said.
“Maybe it was the crowd, the night and the excitement,” he pondered. “I know the crowd had a lot to do with it. They were on their feet for us and the kids reached back to get this one.”
“DeSoto has a fine ball club,” he declared. “Just like our case tonight, they have a better club than the way they played tonight.” Friday’s game should be another barn-burner.
McAdams Yields 8 Hits
Senior right-hander John McAdams didn’t have his usual sharp-breaking curve and the Eagles popped it a few times along with his fast one, but the gritty chunker hung in there and allowed the Eagles only eight hits and five earned runs. He didn’t walk a batter and whiffed four in his route-going performance. He chipped in with three base hits and three runs-batted-in to and a solid 12-hit attack off four Eagle hurlers.
“Mac pitched a much better game than the score indicates,” Coach Turner commented. “Much better. He was getting tired in the seventh and a base runner would have meant the end for him. He did a great job.”
Along with McAdams, Gill Southard rapped a pair and had three rbi’s, Jerry Kelly scored twice (although being ill with stomach flu, the tough all-stater was with his team in the big one) and Brett Johnson scored two runs for the Green.
These seniors along with David Terry drew the plaudits of Coach Turner. “These five seniors have been a tremendous factor in our success this year. They have furnished the leadership and instilled the desire in our young ball players. I just can’t say enough about their efforts.”
The Tribe trailed the Eagles 8-5 going into the bottom of the sixth and that don’t quit attitude started with a walk to Johnson. Donald Steele banged his third hit of the night in the hole past short and a wild pitch sent the runners to second and third.
At that point, Eagle coach Bennie Jones jerked reliever David Nelson and brought on big Ken Caffey. He struck out Andy Dawson, but yielded a walk to Kelly to load the bases with Indians. Armstrong bounced a high chopper to second for an infield hit (his third of the night), scoring Johnson and the bags were still loaded with Indians.
McAdams drilled a bad-hop shot at Billy Bishop at third and the ball caromed into left field with Steele and Kelly romping home with the tying runs. Leftfielder Dave Ryan let the bounder through for an error and Armstrong raced around from first to score with a great slide at the plate and the Tribe led for the first time in the game 9-8.
McAdams camped at second and romped home with a sugar run on Southard’s looper down the right field line and the score read 10-8.
Eagle lefthander Steve Mobley opened on the hill for DeSoto and after giving up a run in the first inning settled down to hold the Tribe in check through three and two-thirds innings. It was a surprise to see him go. Questioned after the game about that move, coach Jones replied, “He hasn’t done well his last two or three games and he had thrown a lot of pitches. My reliever (Nelson) has been doing well for us in these situations, but it didn’t work out that way tonight”.
Mobley was touched for three earned runs on four hits, walked two and fanned two. Nelson came on for an inning and a third and the Green scored four earned runs on five hits and a walk. Caffey lasted a third of an inning and gave up three earned runs on three hits, one walk and one strikeout.
Barry Reddick came in from left field to halt the Tribe’s assault in the sixth and managed to get the Tribe out without further damage in two-thirds of an inning.
Long-Ball Hitters
DeSoto had base runners in every inning but the last and had long-ball hitting from Bishop, Ryan and Jimmy Russell. Bishop banged a triple to right in the third inning, Ryan boomed one to center in the fifth for two runs and Russell hit a two-out solo homer at the 325-foot mark in the Eagles’ sixth.
The teams traded runs in the first inning with Rick Keeler legging out a one-out infield single to third, swiping second and riding home on Russell’s line shot to left. The Indians bounced right back as Kelly drew a walk, Armstrong bunted perfectly to get him to second and McAdams hung a rope to left center for a double with Kelly racing in to score.
Steele’s two-out single was wasted in the bottom of the second and the Eagles came up with two runs in the third to go ahead 3-1. Bishop tripled to start the inning and scored on an error of Keeler’s bouncer. Keeler swiped second and after two outs scored on another Indians error.
Armstrong’s third-inning one-out bad-hop single to short was wasted as McAdams forced him at second and on a hosrt passed ball, Keeler made a super throw and Bobby Staehs’ great catch and tag caught Mac for the third out.
Mac gave up back-to-back prosperity. Two hits and two Tribe errors put the Eagles back on top by four runs and it looked dismal for the Green. Mac struck out J. Russell for the first out, Adamcik was alive on an error and all hands were safe on a fielder’s choice of Barry Russell’s bouncer. They didn’t stay on base too long, however. Ryan’s triple over Kelly’s head in center made it 6-3 and ryan scored moments later on Staeh’s base hit.
Back came the fighting Indians’ Kelly popped to Garnett at first to open the Tribe’s fifth frame. Armstrong looped a single to left, McAdams drilled a line single to left and Southard scored them with a rope to the corner in left to cut the margin to 7-5.
Russell hit his drive after two outs in the sixth to move it back to 8-5 and the Tribe came alive again in its half of the sixth to wrap it up.
As coach Turner said, “It was great to let the kids have a taste of a zone title.” Say it again, coach.
The win was number 20 for the Indians against four losses and the Eagles close regular season play with a 15-7 record.
Both teams recorded 7-1 North Zone records.
Friday, May 15, 1976
“WHS INDIANS HOST EAGLES FOR PLAYOFF HONORS HERE”
By BOB HOWARD
Of The Light Staff
“Icing on the cake” is the term WHS Indians head baseball coach Mike Turner applied to tonight’s important clash with the DeSoto Eagles for North Zone playoff representative honors in District 8-AAA.
It will be standing-room-only early at Richards Park with plenty of feelings being displayed from both sides of the fence. The rabid DeSoto fans are loaded for bear. WHS fans aren’t used to losing and it will be a ding-dong battle from start to finish.
The Tribe won a 10-8 thriller over the Eagles last Tuesday to gain a share of the title and tonight’s game will send the winner into a best of three series against the Midway Panthers, South Zone champs, for the District 8-AAA flag.
Coach Turner said, “Every game after Tuesday night is just icing on the cake for us. I hope we play better defensively than we did Tuesday, because you can’t give up too many errors against a team like Desoto and expect to win every time out.”
The same two pitchers, Waxahachie’s John McAdams and DeSoto’s Steve Mobley, are expected to charge the hill for the big game. McAdams went the distance against the Eagles Tuesday and despite poor defense, came through in the clutch. He’s noted for getting the big ones for the Tribe in his fine pitching career. Mobley, the curve-balling lefty, will be thumbing ‘em up there against the Tribe and the Green has a tough time with the youngster.
Wants In Playoff
Coach Bennie Jones, first-year coach from Wharton, has guided the Eagles to its first share of the zone crown in nine years of trying and the Eagles are hungry for the playoff slot.
Probably starters for the Eagles are Mobley on the mound, Billy Bishop, 3b; Ricky Keller, c; Brad Garnett, 1b; Jimmy Russell, cf; Alan Adamcik, ss; Barry Russell, dh; Dave Ryan, rf; Barry Reddick, lf; and Bobby Staehs, 2b.
Joining McAdams on the diamond for the game will be Jerry Kelly, cf; Ty Armstrong, 2b; Gill Southard, lf; Stu Lumpkins, c; Bill Stroope, 1b; Brett Johnson, rf; Donald Steele, ss; Mike Loyd, 3b; and Mike Morgan, dh.
Adamcik is the only senior taking the field for the Eagles while the Tribe’s seniors and Kelly, Southard, McAdams, Johnson and pinch-hitter David Terry.
Stating there’s no tomorrow, coach Turner indicated sophomore Robert Dulin would be ready for relief action in case McAdams gets in trouble, with Kevin Martin and Barry Navarro and whatever it takes tonight.
Tradition is with the Indians in great pitching and defense, its long list of victories and the most super fans ever. Be there tonight and be noisy. Get ‘em, Green.
Sunday, May 16, 1976
“INDIANS WHIP EAGLES – Tribe to Face Midway for Title”
By BOB HOWARD
Of The Light Staff
It was a command performance by right-hander John McAdams and the senior hurler didn’t disappoint the largest crowd of the year at Richards Park as he plucked the DeSoto Eagles Friday night in easy fashion to lead the WHS Indians to a 6-1 romp and the playoff spot in the District 8-AAA championship series.
The Tribe’s victory puts it into the district playoff for the fourth year in succession and was the 21st win of the year against four losses. DeSoto hangs ‘em up with a 16-8 record and a share of the North Zone crown.
Friday’s win was the second of the week over DeSoto and the battling Indians didn’t even give the Eagles a shot in the rubber game of the season. DeSoto won over the Indians 5-1 in the first meeting and that was the first time ever the Eagles had gotten the best of the Indians in conference play.
McAdams held the hard-hitting Eagles to two hits through six innings and coasting with a 6-0 lead going into the seventh, he relaxed a little and three straight singles by DeSoto cost him a shutout. Who cares…the gritty chunker just laid it in there when he had to. He walked one batter and, including three Tribe errors, only allowed DeSoto nine baserunners all night.
The packed stands and fans standing four-deep along the fence at Richards Park got to see the Eagle mound staff again. Lefthander Steve Mobley opened for DeSoto and developed arm trouble as the third inning started.
Eagles Coach Bennie Jones wore a path to the mound form that point. Barry Reddick came in from left field with his side-arm fast ball and lasted two-thirds of an inning. Jones came on with the count 3-0 on Brett Johnson and signaled for David Nelson and he lasted three innings before he went 2-0 on Donald Steele and along came Jones - to call on Ken Caffey to get the final Indian out in the sixth inning. Reddick was the loser.
Biggest Win
The Indians took advantage of four Eagles’ errors, 10 bases on balls and five base hits to notch its biggest win to date. Mac had two of the five hits and knocked across the first run in the third inning; and Steele and Johnson each had a pair of runs batted in without a base hit.
Johnson came up three times in the game with the bases loaded and walked to push a run across and his topper to third was booted and another run scored. Steele’s walk forced across a run and a wide throw on his bouncer to second chased in another.
Eagle Jimmy Russell worked Mac for a soft liner to right in the second inning; Rick Keeler, DeSoto’s fine catcher, ripped a long double to left center in the sixth inning; and Dave Ryan, Reddick and Bobby Staehs (a run-scoring double) pumped solid base hits in the Eagles’ seventh.
The Tribe left 12 men on base in the game and had runners on every inning but the fourth. Brad Garnett’s great stab of a liner to first off Steele’s bat stopped the Tribe from breaking the game wide open in the third; a hit in the fifth with the sacks loaded and one out would have sent the Eagles reeling; and another bases-loaded situation in the sixth went down the drain after two runs were in with a pop-up and a strikeout ending it.
The Indians managed to score two runs in each of the innings in its bases-loaded situations on Eagle errors and walks. McAdams shot past third in what was the only time a base hit brought blood.
Proud of Players
Coach Mike Turner watched his players “ice the cake” with great satisfaction. “I’m certainly proud of my ball players. We played much better defensively and Mac pitched another fine pressure game. His curve ball was much better tonight and his fast ball had some life. He pitched with a lot of confidence.”
“I’m glad that we can come back and show our people the type of players we have. They worked hard and concentrated Wednesday and Thursday and they concentrated tonight.”
Coach Turner felt the turning point of the game came on the throw of Stu Lumpkins in the top of the third. Billy Bishop tried to steal on the Tribe and Lumpkins made the best throw of the year to Ty Armstrong at second for the put out. “That was a fine play by that young man (Lumpkins),” he remarked. Another key to the game was the number of strikeouts (4) by the Tribe. “We hit the ball well,” coach Turner declared, “and most of the time right at somebody, but we cut down on the strikeouts and forced some errors by getting wood on the ball.”
“We have a lot of respect for DeSoto,” he commented. “They have a fine ball club and it was a fine series.”
Good Bunting
He was tickled with the bunting by the Indians. Armstrong laid down two perfect bunts to move runners up and McAdams bunted for a hit in the sixth. Armstrong’s third-inning bunt put Jerry Kelly in scoring position and Mac brought him home.
Mac later scored on a walk to Johnson to make it 2-0 after three.
DeSoto put a slight tremble in the hearts of the local fans in the second when Russell led off with a base hit and following a pop to Johnson in right fir the first out, Barry Russell’s bouncer was booted to put runners at first and third. ‘Ole John just rared back to get heavy-hitter Ryan on a half-hearted, swinging third strike and left a bewildered Reddick looking at a third strike to get out of the inning.
DeSoto put two runners on in the fifth with Ryan drawing a one-out walk and following another out, an Indian boot put runners at first and second. Bishop looped a drive to right and Johnson made a fine running catch to get the Green out of the jam.
Johnson Scores Southard
Two more runs came across for the Green in its half of the fifth on a hit, two errors and two walks. Gill Southard walked, Lumpkins lined over short for a base hit and Stroope walked to load ‘em up. Johnson scored Southard on Bishop’s miscue of his bouncer and Steele’s bouncer to Staehs and his throw to Keller at the plate was wide, scoring Lumpkins. Andy Dawson went down on strikes and Kelly popped to center to end the frame with Waxahachie leading 4-0.
Keller started the Eagles sixth with a booming double to left center with a great throw by Kelly preventing it from going for three bases. It was bear-down time for Mac and he did his job. Garnett looked at a third strike. J. Russell bounced out Steele to Stroope and Stroope took Alan Adamcik’s foul pop for out number three.
Armstrong drilled the ball to deep short to open the Tribe’s sixth inning and McAdams’ bunt was fielded by Garnett, but Staehs was watching the game instead of covering first base and Mac was on with the inning’s second infield hit. Southard hit a double-play shot to Adamcik at short, his throw got Mac at second, but Staehs’ throw to get Southard was wild and Armstrong never looked up as he rounded third and raced in with the game’s fifth run.
Lumpkins, Stroope and Steele walked to score Southard and it was 6-0 after six and the Eagles were dead.
Not really overlooked in the Tribe’s great 21-4 season, but seldom heard from, is assistant Coach Phil Turner. Coach Mike’s brother is in his first year of coaching and big brother credits him with taking a lot of the load in this year’s march to a winning season. “It’s just great not to have to worry about anything over on the first base side of the game. He has done a fine job and is a big part of the fine camaraderie this great group of youngsters and coaches enjoy,” coach Mike declared.
Real Honor
“To represent our zone again is a real honor to our players,” he continued. “They looked at this season and wanted it very bad because everybody wanted to knock us off. They say your last win is the sweetest and this one is sweet.”
Now it’s on to Waco (again) and some more great baseball from the super Indians. Make your plans to be there Tuesday night. Directions will be forthcoming (guaranteed correct) so no one should miss it!
Monday, May 17th, 1976
“INDIANS, PANTHERS OPEN TITLE SERIES TUESDAY”
By BOB HOWARD
Of The Light Staff
It’s playoff time again for the Waxahachie Indians’ baseball team and Coach Mike Turner with Tuesday’s opening clash at Waco Midway marking the fourth straight year the Big Green has gone to battle with the South Zone for the District 8-AAA baseball championship.
They emerged as champions in the 1973 and 1974 seasons, but dropped the title to Waco Connally in last year’s playoff. Connally went on to represent the district in great fashion bi-district, regional and finally to the state tournament in Austin where the Cadets fell in their first game.
Waxahachie has marched to the regional playoffs its last two times as district champ and the Green will have its eyes set on winning over the Panthers for the district title and try to get some more “icing on the cake.”
The Indians are 21-4 on the year, while the Panthers are 18-7 and both teams shared zone titles with DeSoto and Moore, respectively, and won playoff slots with victories last week.
Tribe Wins Two
Panther Coach Ken Beverly and the Midways haven’t forgotten the doubleheader loss to the Indians earlier in the year. Waxahachie whacked Midway 11-1 and 11-10 in the twinbill at Richards Park and Coach Beverly remarked, “Our kids were kind of embarrassed over that. We are looking forward to a better showing than that first meeting. We were still looking for a set lineup at that time and I think we have found our best team since then.”
“The Indians have seen our pitchers before and we expect a tough time from them. They are a tough-hitting bunch,” Coach Beverly remarked.
Midway has relied on sophomore fireballer Andy Hawkins (9-3) and senior Charles Yarber (7-3) to lead its charge to the zone crown. Hawkins has recorded five shutouts, including no-hitters against LaVega and Copperas Cove and two one-hitters against LeVega and West. He has chunked 84 innings with 41 walks and a whopping 117 strikeouts. Yarber has shutouts over Marlin and Belton and has 41 walks and 69 strikeouts in 63 innings of work.
Freshman Mike Nye has a 2-0 record for the Panthers. All the hurlers are righthanders.
WHS Hurlers
Coach Mike Turner can counter with ace righthander John McAdams (11-2), freshman Robert Dulin (5-2), junior Kevin Martin (3-0) and sophomore Barry Navarro (2-0). Indian pitching has rung up five shutouts (three by McAdams) this year and control has kept the Tribe staff out of trouble.
Coach Beverly uses Yarber (.289) in centerfield when Hawkins is hurling and vice-versa. Yarber has four home runs to his credit along with senior third baseman Burt Maddox (.341). Hawkins is hitting .250.
Leftfielder Kerry Seely, a senior, is batting .347 and along with Maddox are rated “my two most consistent hitters,” Coach Beverly declared. “Maddox has been hitless in only two games this season.”
Maddox will start at third, senior Jackie Resch (.283) and one homer, starts at shortstop. Seely in left, Yarber or Hawkins in centerfield, junior Barry Beverly (.210) will catch, junior Kurt Von Rosenberg (.257) at second base. Nye (.241) or sophomore Brad Lechler (.180) in right field, and sophomore Steve Hall (.120) at first base.
Nye or Lechler will be the designated hitter, depending on which starts in right. Coach Beverly stated players coming off the bench could be freshman Ken Dulaney (.200) at catcher or second base, senior Frank Thomas (.150) at an outfield slot, and freshman Terry Kelm (.333) as a pinch hitter or third baseman.
Midway Improved
“We’re glad to be in this spot,” Coach Turner declared. “Midway is a much improved team since our first meeting and they were a good team then. Hawkins is a flame-thrower and with Yarber, they have a fine pitching staff. I look forward to a good series, with Midway and feel that good pitching and good defense will be the key to the playoffs.”
Starting for the Tribe will be Jerry Kelly, cf; Ty Armstrong, 2b; McAdams, p; Gill Southard, lf; Stu Lumpkins, c; Bill Stroope, 1b; Brett Johnson, rf; Donald Steele, ss; and Mike Loyd, 3b. Designated hitter for Tuesday’s game is “up in the air” at the moment, Coach Turner remarked.
Coach Beverly said the school would be moving additional stands to the field Monday and Tuesday as Midway anticipates a large home crowd, so get an early start for the game and let’s help the Tribe get number one Tuesday to be in the driver’s seat for Saturday’s game at Richards Park. Get ‘em, Green.
Wednesday, May 19th, 1976
“INDIANS DUMP PANTHERS, NEAR DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP”
By BOB HOWARD
Of The Light Staff
WACO – The battling Waxahachie Indians are one up and one to go in the race for the District 8-AAA championship following their 4-2 victory in the first game of the series against the Midway Panthers here Tuesday night.
Another fine pitching effort from John McAdams (12-2) sent the Tribe past the error-plagued panthers in a fast-moving game. Waxahachie fans got there early and by game time outnumbered their hosts by 3 to 1. Local fans were vocal, too. The men in blue had plenty of help from them and sometimes the Panther fans were doing a bit of umpiring.
McAdams hurled five strong innings with only a letter high fast ball teaching the outer limits of the right field sector on Panther hurler Andy Hawkins’ drive in the second inning, the worst mistake of the night. In the sixth frame, Mac yielded three straight singles to the panthers and a run scored to tease Midway, trailing 1-2, runners at second and third and nobody out.
Coach Mike Turner called time to talk to his tough righthander and left him in there to face Hawkins.
“If anybody but Hawkins had been coming to bat, I would have taken him out then,” coach Turner remarked. “Mac had had good success against him after the home run (strikeout), and we needed his curve ball in that situation.”
Turning Point
That was the turning point, coach Turner declared. Mac got Hawkins on a foul pop to Bill Stroope at first, Charlie Yarber popped foul to Mike Loyd at third and Mac reached back and got something on a high fast ball to get catcher Barry Beverly on a swinging third strike to get out of the inning.
That was it for the gritty senior. Coach Turner called on freshman Robert Dulin to get the Panthers in the bottom of the seventh and “Old Ice Water’ did just that. Dulin watched the first batter he faced draw life on an error, the Tribe got him on a force at second and Stu Lumpkins’ perfect throw and super tag by Ty Armstrong at second got a sliding Panther by 10 feet for out number two. The last batter hit a soft liner to Donald Steele at short to end it and it was steak time for the Green.
Dulin used seven pitches to retire the Panthers in the seventh. It was his first action since chunking against Mexia two weeks ago.
McAdams was just arm-weary, coach Turner commented. “However, he was coming out regardless after the sixth. No game is worth losing an arm over.”
He walked two, struck out five and yielded six hits to the Panthers and two earned runs.
Fans 10 Indians
Midway’s sophomore fire-baller Hawkins fanned 10 Indians and his fast fast ball is something else. The Indians waited on his curve and banged out five base hits to go with five Midway errors and four walks.
Hawkins banged his solo homer to open the bottom of the second inning and the Tribe got back in it after two outs in the third. Armstrong walked and went to third on McAdams’ line double to right center. Armstrong raced home as Hawkins fumbled Gill Southard’s dribbler down the third base line and Mac moved up to third.
Lumpkins bounced sharply to Kurt Von Rosenberg at second and his throw went over firstbaseman Steve Hall’s glove and McAdams and Southard romped home to give the Green a 3-1 lead.
Miss Scoring Chance
The Indians missed a scoring opportunity in the first frame as Armstrong reached first on an error and moved around to third on an error of McAdams’ grounder. On a delayed first and third situation, McAdams got in the rundown but Von Rosenberg’s throw to Beverly tapped Armstrong sliding by and Southard’s broken bat liner was hauled down to retire the side.
Midway put its first batter on with a walk, but a pop bunt was grabbed by Lumpkins and his throw to first nabbed Maddox for a twin killing.
In the third, Midway had a runner on with a single after the out and a slick double-play, Steele to Armstrong to Stroope erased the Panthers in that frame.
Waxahachie scored its final run in the fourth frame and it all started with two outs. Mike Morgan walked, swiped second and moved to third on a passed ball. Jerry Kelly bounced a single up the middle to score Morgan with the only earned run of the night off Hawkins.
Alertness Stops Panthers
Alert play stopped the Panthers from scoring in the fifth frame. A boot put Beverly on first and a wild pitch moved him to second. Brad Bechler singled sharply to left and Southard raced in to scoop and fire to Lumpkins at the plate. Beverly made his turn and the throw bounced off Lumpkins’ mitt to the back stop. Beverly broke for the plate. McAdams was backing up the play and his throw to Lumpkins at the plate cut off Beverly and the Tribe catcher tagged him out in the rundown.
Lechler moved to second during the play and every Indian held its breath as Von Rosenberg drilled a liner to the fence in left, but the tall Indian, Southard, was there to make the catch against the fence and Mac forced Nye to bounce to second for the final out.
The Indians had another two-out rally going in the sixth, but a fine recovery and throw from shortstop, Jackie Resch cut down Steele trying to score.
Steele Walks
Steele drew a two-out walk. Morgan worked Hawkins for another base on balls and Kelly’s shot back through the middle hit the soft dirt of the pitcher’s mound and Resch booted it as it neared second. Steele rounded third and Resch recovered to turn it into an out.
The Tribe will work on some fundamentals today at Richards Park in a light workout, do some heavy-duty drills Thursday and taper off for the big 5 p.m. start Saturday.
“They’ve got to come to our place now,” coach Turner exclaimed, but I have seen these things go both ways. Win the first on the road and lose two at home. I don’t think Midway will lay down. They have a good, free-swinging ball club and they’ll come to play.”
About 300 WHS fans made the trip to the ball game and coach Turner commented, “We appreciate the support of the people who followed us down there. The ball players were glad to see all the familiar faces at the ball park.”
Indian fans, make your plans to be there Saturday. Let’s fill the stands with Green.
Friday, May 21st, 1976
“PLAY MIDWAY 9 ON SATURDAY”
Game number two unreels at Richards Park Saturday at 5 p.m. and all WHS fans hope for an early return on the verdict of who’s going to be the 1976 District 8-AAA baseball champion.
First-year entry in the battle for district honors are the South Zone Midway Panthers (18-7), who find themselves down by one game to the North Zone WHS Indians (22-4) in the series for the flag. The Indians have been here before – it’s the fourth straight year for them in the chase for the district bunting.
The Tribe of coach Mike Turner won the title in back0to-back season (1973-74), lost it to Connally in the 1975 series and find the title just one game away starting Saturday.
Waxahachie won a 4-2 game Tuesday night down in Midway with three unearned runs off the smoke of sophomore Andy Hawkins (9-4) and it will probably be Mr. Hawkins again in the 5 p.m. game Saturday. Charles Yarber (7-3), a senior righthander, could be Midway coach Ken Beverly’s choice to open. Hawkins fanned 10 Indians in the opener and coach Turner hopes to cut that down to “at least six or seven.” The Tribe put the ball on the ground a few times against the Panthers in the first game and found some easy runs on the five errors committed by the Panthers.
With a game under its belt on the plus side, the Indians have young freshman Robert Dulin (5-2) ready for the 5 p.m. game Saturday. If the Indians drop the game, the series would be tied at 1-1 and senior chunker John McAdams 912-2) would be the choice to face the Panthers in the rubber game.
The winner of the district series meets Mt. Pleasant in bi-district action next week and the East Texas school’s officials will be at Richards Park Saturday to set up that series.
Probably starters for the Panthers are Bert Maddox, 3b; Jackie Resch, ss; Kerry Seely, lf; Hawkis, p or cf; Yarber, cf or p; Barry Beverly, c; Brady Lechler, rf; Kurt Von Rosenberg, 2b; Steve Hall, 1b; and Mike Nye, dh.
Coach Turner named the following Indians to take the field: Jerry Kelly, senior, cf; Ty Armstrong, 2b; Mike Morgan, dh; Gill southward, senior, lf; ?Stu Lumpkins, c; Bill Stroope, 1b; Brett Johnson, senior, rf; Donald Steele, ss; and Mike Loyd, 3b.
Other seniors on the Tribe squad are McAdams and pinch-hitter David Terry.
Let’s get down to the park early, get those choice seats, loosen up the lungs and let the Indians know we’re behind them. The fans get that old adrenalin flowing in the Big Green. Get ‘em, Green.