KOKOMO | A run-scoring balk and a two-run home run over the shallow recesses of right field at CFD Investment Stadium was all the offense Lafayette Central Catholic could muster off South Central in Saturday's Class A Kokomo Semistate.
But it was more than enough for Brett Haan, who limited the Satellites (15-12) to three hits in a 3-1 victory that continues the Knights' quest for a third straight state title.
"He threw a lot of off-speed and kept us off-balance," Snyder said. "We just weren't able to find our bats."
Snyder, who carried S.C. through the post-season, started the seventh inning with a double and scored on a Cody Young ground out.
"I'm a senior. I'm supposed to be a leader," Snyder said. "I just went up looking to start something. I thought that would get us pumped up and we'd at least get three."
But it proved to be all the offense that the Satellites could muster off Haan.
"We told them he threw a lot of first-pitch fastballs, so we wanted to be aggressive," South Central coach Ron King said. "At the same time, we were not wise in our pitch selection. We were swinging at stuff we weren't even seeing. (Haan) kept us guessing and we didn't have an answer for him. "
In a game of limited chances, the Satellites ran themselves out of a couple potential scoring threats. Blake Geskey was caught in a rundown between second and third on Steven Shepherd's single to right field in the second inning. It was the only inning they managed more than one runner, albeit for just a couple seconds.
"I take full responsibility on that one," King said. "I misjudged the throw."
In the sixth inning, Adam Clindaniel singled, but was cut down going to second base on Austin Hanna's failed bunt attempt.
"Austin missed and unfortunately Adam took off," King said.
Until the sixth inning, Central Catholic's only run came in on a third-inning balk. Haan asked for time out and Snyder stopped his throwing motion, but the umpire never called it.
"My catcher (Young) turned so I wasn't going to throw it and hurt him," Snyder said. "I held the ball and obviously it was a balk."
DeBoy took advantage of the short porch in right field to extend the lead in the sixth.
"I knew it was gone as soon as I saw it," Snyder said. "A regular ball park and who knows? It's 1-1."
S.C. only tested the short porch once, with Young's fly ball caught near the fence in the second.
"We had the same advantage," King said. "We just didn't get the hits we've been accustomed to the last three weeks. That's the game of baseball."
Snyder wasn't sharp early, walking three, but kept the high-powered Knights largely in check.
"He threw a hell of a game. I can't ask for more out of a pitcher," King said. "I told them it was going to be a 3-2 type game and hopefully we come out on top. We gave them everything they could handle. "
The loss ended Snyder's prep career one win short of Victory Field.
"Winning the regional was awesome," he said. "But to come up this short so close to state, it's tough to take."
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