BIRD ISLAND -- Is the third time the charm for Sacred Heart?
In each of the last two seasons, the Saints lost in the first round of the state Class C tournament.
This year, manager Andy Davis hopes things are different.
"The first year was the big learning one. Everyone was just happy to be there," he said of a 5-3 loss to Blue Earth in 2008. "We played a pretty good game. Last year (a 2-0 loss to Lamberton), we didn't feel we played very well. We didn't feel we played the way we were capable of."
The Saints (26-13) will try to break out of the slump against Region 15C runner-up St. Martin Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Bird Island.
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Sacred Heart started the season a little slow offensively, but has picked up the pace, especially in the postseason. In the last three Region 9C games, the Saints collected 35 hits and scored 28 runs.
"With about two games left in the regular season, we started hitting well," Davis said. "Our team's batting average went up about 40 points in the last two weeks. Everybody is starting to hit. That's been a big boost to our offense."
Mike Kuschel leads the team with a .392 batting average. Ryan Hebrink, the new RCW head football coach, has a .359 average, 47 hits and 12 doubles. Jeremy Hinderks is hitting at a .344 clip and leads the Saints with eight home runs and 33 RBI.
But it drops off from there. Tyler Kleinhuizen is hitting .299 and the rest of the regulars are hitting under .270.
The pitching all starts with Jeremy Hinderks. The right-hander, with a 10-4 record, has logged a workhorse-like 113.1 innings and struck out 114. His 1.59 ERA leads all Sacred Heart starters.
Matt Koenen and Nate Hebrink have gobbled up innings on the mound, with 85.2 and 50.2 respectively. These three pitchers have combined to start all but seven games.
"Jeremy is probably one of the better pitchers in the area. It's hard to find someone much better. He pounds the strike zone and keeps people off balance.
"But we've gotten solid pitching from everyone: Matt Koenen, Nate Hebrink and Adam Loe in relief," Davis said. "That's been our calling card for the last few years, pitching and defense."
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Another factor might be held by the fans. Sacred Heart is just 23 miles from Bird Island, with Renville and Danube even closer.
"I don't know if it's important to how we play," Davis said. "But it is nice to know that we're going to have a nice crowd and play in our own backyard. It's going to fun, that's for sure."
