Obstacles don't stop Wash from Metro tourney win (w/video)

CEDAR RAPIDS - It's not that baseball is life and death or anything, but the Cedar Rapids Washington Warriors are stronger because of what they've survived already this season. Oh, and very much alive.

The loss of their head coach and top pitcher didn't prevent them from winning their opener Monday night at the Bob Vrbicek Metro Tournament, 5-4, over Marion at Cedar Rapids Xavier. For all they've been through, this one had to feel particularly gratifying.

“It's defintely huge,” said Washington's Zach Zingula. “We've got a great group of guys, get along well. We've got good, high-character guys. We've been practicing hard, have great coaches. They're fun to play for, they teach well, know the game. Everything has been going well.”

Wash head coach Byron Schlotterback stepped down after one practice earlier this month. Action on his official resignation from that position and his teaching job at Cedar Rapids Jefferson was expected last night during the Cedar Rapids Community School District's Board of Education meeting.

Ace pitcher Dakota Freese is serving a suspension for a violation of school policy and won't be eligible to return until June 3. He's expected to be selected in the June 6 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

“There is no doubt that we could come out and make a bunch of excuses for not doing well or not having success,” said Brent Henry, elevated from assistant coach. “But these guys are having none of it. They expect to win, they expect to compete. I hold them to that same standard.”

Washington got a 4-for-4 game and two RBIs from catcher Sam Kacena. Zingula went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs and picked up the save for starting pitcher Mike Troendle by pitching out of a second-and-third, no-out mess in the sixth.

Sophomore catcher Addison Johnson had three hits, and Andrew Charipar a triple and home run for Marion.

“I definitely think that what we've gone through has made us closer,” Kacena said.

“The first day was kind of weird, but we still have the same goals in mind,” Zingula said. “It's a different coach, but he's still preaching the same goals.”

Washington will play Xavier in a 7 p.m. Tuesday semifinal at Xavier. The Saints scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to topple Linn-Mar in the second quarterfinal here, 9-5.

A wild pitch scored Blake Helms with the go-ahead run, Alex Ries had an RBI single and Colby Brecht a bases-loaded walk in the inning. The fourth run scored on a passed ball.

Marion and Linn-Mar play a tourney consolation game Tuesday at 5 at Xavier. At Cedar Rapids Kennedy, it's the host Cougars against Cedar Rapids Prairie in a 7 p.m. semifinal. The consolation game is Mount Vernon and Cedar Rapids Jefferson at 5.

Kennedy outlasted Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 10-5. Prairie toppled Mount Vernon, 9-7.

Here's a quick chat with Zingula and Xavier's Nate Even: