Brevin Hawkinson’s baserunning helps Dubuque Wahlert slip by DeWitt Central in 3A state baseball quarterfinals

CEDAR RAPIDS — Dubuque Wahlert’s Brevin Hawkinson has bad hands but his legs work just fine.

Injuries to his hands, including a broken pinky suffered earlier this season, have limited his role but that didn’t stop him from carving a niche as a running specialist.

Hawkinson capitalized on an opportunity and played a crucial role in the top-ranked Golden Eagles’ 1-0 victory over DeWitt Central in a Class 3A state baseball quarterfinal game Tuesday morning at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Wahlert (34-9) can add a state semifinal appearance to its fifth Mississippi Valley Conference divisional title and a school record in victories this season.

“It feels great,” Wahlert Coach Kory Tuescher said. “The fact that we get to spend one more day together is pretty damn special.”

Hawkinson entered the game as a courtesy runner for catcher Bode Nagelmaker, who led off the bottom of the seventh with a base hit. J.P. Elbert’s sacrifice bunt moved Hawkinson to second and that’s when his fleet of foot ability impacted the scoreless game.

Brandon Cummer swung at a pitch low and outside for the third strike. The ball bounced away from the catcher, forcing a throw to first for the second out. Hawkinson waited for the throw and broke for third.

“We want to be aggressive,” Tuescher said. “Sometimes it bites us in the butt but Brevin made things happen so it’s awesome.”

He slid in safely and was Wahlert’s first runner to reach third all game. After a Central meeting on the mound, the first offering to Parker Studtmann skipped in the dirt and past the catcher, allowing Hawkinson to score.

“I saw the ball release from his hand and put my head down,” Hawkinson said. “I ran for third as hard as I could and hoped for the best.

“Heading home, I saw a slow ball into the catcher. Good bounce off the backstop, luckily, and was able to get in there in plenty of time.”

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As for his role, it is one he has embraced. He expects to get a call when the need for speed pops up late in games. Just like Tuesday.

“I always have my helmet on,” Hawkinson said. “I’m ready to go.”

The game was a pitcher’s duel until the end. Wahlert’s Foti Rigopoulos and Central’s Kyle Bixby were the only players to take the mound. Both pitchers stifled opposing batters, allowing seven total hits and only two runners to reach third.

Both struck out five batters. Rigopoulos didn’t walk a batter.

“I trusted my defense,” Rigopoulos said. “I got a lot of groundballs. Played how we played. Got some nice double plays out there. Just everything felt great.”

Rigopoulos has pitched in low-scoring or tight affairs all summer. He has grown accustomed to it and was comfortable, even when Bixby hit his second double to leadoff the seventh.

“We’ve had a lot of close games this year,” Rigopoulos said. “A lot of them have been when I’m pitching. We’ve pulled through every time.

“We just trust everyone. Just get a guy on. We know we’re going to get him to third base and score him.”

Rigopoulous induced a flyout and two groundouts to end the threat and set up Hawkins’ late heroics. Due to the postponement from Monday night to Tuesday morning and the pitch-count restrictions, Rigopoulos (9-0) pitched his last game of the season — a fitting finale for him on the mound.

“It was a tremendous season he had on the mound for us,” Tuescher said. “What a great way for he to end his time on the mound and now we can focus on a good (Sioux City) Heelan team tomorrow.”

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Photos: DeWitt Central vs. Dubuque Wahlert in Class 3A state baseball quarterfinals

The postponement was a source of frustration for the Golden Eagles, who arrived at the stadium and returned to Dubuque Monday night. They woke up early and left at 5 a.m. to play their quarterfinal.

“We rallied together,” Rigopoulos said. “We use it as momentum. When we win this the story is going to be even better.”

Bixby did all he could to will the Sabers (25-13) to victory. He allowed just four hits and walked only one. Only two runners advanced to second base. He also batted 2-for-3 with two doubles.

“As a senior, you’re supposed to lead the team and help out as much as you can,” Bixby said. “Lead the younger kids and do as much as I can.”

Wahlert will face No. 4 Sioux City Heelan (33-10) in Wednesday’s semifinals, starting at 5 p.m.

Dubuque Wahlert 1, Central DeWitt 0

CLASS 3A QUARTERFINAL

Central DeWitt 000-000-0 - - 0-3-0

Dubuque Wahlert 000-000-1 -- 1-4-1

Foti Rigopoulos and Bode Nagelmaker. Kyle Bixby and Dawson Petsche. W - Rigopoulos (9-0). L - Bixby (6-2). 2B - Bixby 2.

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com