Terry Douglass, Central Nebraska Today
GRAND ISLAND — Brock Cushing’s stellar performance on the mound powered Grand Island to a 2-0 victory over Omaha South Friday afternoon in the Class A, District 5 semifinals at Ryder Park.
Cushing pitched a no-hitter, sending the second-seeded Islanders (18-8) into Saturday’s 2 p.m. A-5 district final at top-seeded Kearney at Memorial Field. The sophomore right-hander struck out nine, walked two and hit a batter, but retired the final 13 Packers he faced, securing the no-hitter when Grand Island right fielder Ian Arends tracked down a flyball to end the game.
Omaha South (17-13) threatened with two outs in the top of the first when Cooper Gray walked and Zane Carroll was hit by a pitch. However, Cushing got a flyout to end the inning and struck out the side in the second.
Gray’s line drive that was snared by Grand Island shortstop Sam Dinkelman, who went high into the air to make the catch to end the top of the third, was Omaha South’s best chance for a base hit. Cushing was in total control after that.
Grand Island scored both of its runs in the bottom of the fifth. Endry Laureiro led off with a single and gave way to pinch runner Ethan Mader, who advanced to second on Ethan Coslor’s sacrifice bunt. Dinkelman’s double down the right-field line scored Mader and Dinkelman later came home on a single up the middle by Sam Schroeder.
Gabe Ruiz was 2 for 3 with a double to lead the Islanders’ seven-hit attack. In addition to the RBI hits by Dinkelman and Schroeder, Broxton Barrientos, Ian Arends and Laureiro added singles for Grand Island.
Omaha South pitcher Louis Hodoly was impressive in the loss. The senior right-hander struck out four, walked one and allowed one earned run in six strong innings.
Grand Island and Kearney (21-9) will rematch on Saturday with a state-tournament bid on the line. The Bearcats, who beat Omaha North 10-1 on Friday in their A-5 semifinal, rallied past the Islanders 7-4 on April 14 in Kearney in their only previous meeting this season.
Grand Island 2, Omaha South 0
Omaha South (17-13)…….000 000 0—0 0 1
Grand Island (18-8)………..000 020 x—2 7 1
W-Brock Cushing. L—Louis Hodoly. 2B—Grand Island, Gabe Ruiz, Sam Dinkelman.
