Hummel strong outing propels Cascade past West Branch 5-3

Cascade wanted a veteran on the mound to open the postseason.

So, they turned to one of the most experienced players on the team. Senior Cooper Hummel delivered what the Cougars needed.

Hummel pitched six solid innings and got on base three times, helping Cascade defeat West Branch, 5-3, in a Class 2A District 5 high school baseball game Saturday at Alburnett. The game between Alburnett and Hudson was postponed due to rain and is rescheduled for Monday at 7 p.m.

“We don’t take anything for granted,” Cascade Coach Roamn Hummel said. “We wanted to make sure we had somebody on the mound who was seasoned in that way. We knew Cooper has had that experience, probably more as a younger player than the last year or two. This year, he hasn’t thrown a ton for us but we knew, going into it, that’s who we wanted on the mound.”

The younger Hummel recorded five scoreless innings, allowing only four base runners and three hits over that stretch. He retired seven straight batters and six in a row from the end of the fourth to the sixth. Cooper embraced the opportunity and gained some confidence as well.

“It’s been a long time I’ve been able to throw like that,” Cooper said. “It feels like it’s been since my freshman year that I pitched five innings. It feels good to compete for the team. Give us a chance and help us win.”

Cooper has been hampered by injury the last couple of seasons. The all-stater has demonstrated toughness and heart during that time, doing whatever it takes for the team to win. The Cougars know the effort they will get from their him.

“Throughout his career, whether his arm us sore or not, he’s going to compete for you,” Roamn said. “He did that this game.”

The window is starting to shrink on the Hummels dual role as father/son and coach/player. Cooper said he has avoided thinking about it and wants to extend the season as long as possible. Roamn admitted it has crept into his mind, including how Saturday might have been his last time on the mound for the Cougars.

Roamn enjoyed a moment Thursday when Cooper took the field for his final home game and younger brother, Carson Hummel, made his first start. A handing off of the baseball, of sorts.

“It’s definitely a bittersweet feeling,” Roamn said. “Just being able to have that opportunity to be around him all summer long for the last five years. There’s few people to get the chance to say that.

“It seems like we’re together every day all summer long. Being on the field we both enjoy. When he was younger, we didn’t always see eye to eye but it’s gotten a lot better since that time.”

Cooper also provided a spark for the offensive. Cascade broke open a scoreless game with a three-run third. Cooper led off with a double, Eli Fritz was hit by a pitch and Cason Rausch walked to load the bases. Jackson reached on an error by the third baseman, bringing in courtesy runner Tanner Topping and Fritz. Green scored on an errant throw.

Nate Schockemoehl reached on an error and scored on a wild pitch in the fourth and Green scored on Brody Otting’s sacrifice fly in the fifth for a 5-0 lead.

Cooper and Fritz reached base three times apiece. They have been statistical leaders for Cascade (20-12).

“You expect it out of them,” Roamn said. “They got it going and we were able to hold on.”

West Branch didn’t go down without a fight. The Bears clawed their way back into the game with three runs in the sixth. An error and three straight singles from Garrett Sotzen, Nolan Staker and Kaleb Rios plated Ian Nelson and courtesy runner Reese Gingerich. Staker came home on a double steal but Cooper induced consecutive groundouts to end the threat.

Mick Hoffman worked a perfect seventh with two strikeouts for the Cougars.

Staker had three hits and Sotzen went 2-for-2 with a walk to pace West Branch (3-22).

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