Eagles win 3A title over St. Charles

• By WILLIAM WEATHERS
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: May 11, 2008 - Page: 1C - UPDATED: 1:45 a.m.

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CROWLEY — More than a year later, the torment for Parkview Baptist’s baseball team wasn’t officially just laid to rest it was buried beneath a joyous dogpile.

For the second-seeded Eagles it was like old times once again — taking the opportunity to celebrate the school’s 10th state championship — following a decisive 12-3 Class 3A victory Saturday over fifth-seeded St. Charles at Miller Stadium.

The main distinction between the ninth and 10th crowns was that it took two years to accomplish. A sudden stop to a run of five consecutive titles — a one-run regional loss at Iowa — was a harsh dose of reality that wound up serving as a driving force for this year’s team.

“We played a little angry all year long,” Parkview baseball coach M.L. Woodruff said. “At the end of last year a lot of teams said the dynasty was over. There was a lot of talk like, ‘they’re done.’ We only had two starters back but we had a good bunch of sophomores last year and they were ready to play.”

Parkview (34-5) returned to the state tournament with a vengeance. The Eagles, who won 15 of their last 16 games, outscored their five playoff opponents 68-8 and didn’t play a full seven innings until the championship game.

“It hurt like nothing else to lose to Iowa in the second round,” Parkview junior first baseman Alex Byo, who was named the tournament’s MVP for the Eagles. “This year we had unbelievable leadership from almost every person on the team throughout the year.

“We were on a mission this year. We knew we had the talent. It was whether or not the leadership was going to take over and the seniors did an extraordinary job of leading this year.”

One of those seniors was right-hander Josh Janway (10-1) who was the winning pitcher. Janway carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before settling for a complete-game, four-hitter. He allowed three runs (one earned), no walks and struck out seven.

“I felt great, probably the best I ever felt,” said Janway, who threw 69 of 96 pitches for strikes. “I just threw strikes, do what I do to get guys out and that’s get a lot of ground balls.”

Said St. Charles coach Paul Waguespack, whose team was appearing in a state title game for the third time in five years: “The guy on the mound, he was just very good.”

Janway was even tougher, pitching with a lead the entire game courtesy of an offense that generated runs in all but one inning and 17 hits against five St. Charles pitchers. Starter Jared Keating (5-3) was the losing pitcher.

“That shows our ability to make adjustments,” Woodruff said. “It’s unbelievable.”

Ninth-place hitter Andrew Reeves led Parkview’s massive hit parade with a 4-for-5 effort that included three RBIs. Byo and junior designated hitter Alex Edward weren’t far behind with three hits apiece. Edward drove in four runs and Byo three.