Andrew Hauck dominates on the mound to help Foothill beat Las Vegas
By Sam Gordon Las Vegas Review-Journal
Foothill players come together after defeating Las Vegas 1-0 at Foothill High School in Henderson on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Foothill pitcher Andrew Hauck pitches against Las Vegas during the sixth inning at Foothill High School in Henderson on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. Foothill won 1-0. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Las Vegas catcher Daniel Jimenez slides in safe at first while Foothill first baseman Tyler Kara tries to tag him out during the fourth inning at Foothill High School in Henderson on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. Foothill won 1-0. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Foothill’s Tommy Dirk runs toward third base during the fourth inning of a baseball game against Las Vegas at Foothill High School in Henderson on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. Foothill won 1-0. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Foothill’s Tommy Dirk runs toward third base during the fourth inning of a baseball game against Las Vegas at Foothill High School in Henderson on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. Foothill won 1-0. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Las Vegas infielder Nathan Freimuth tags out Foothill’s Jake Perales at second during the fourth inning at Foothill High School in Henderson on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. Foothill won 1-0. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Las Vegas outfielder Jose Martinez catches a pop fly during the fifth inning while playing against Foothill at Foothill High School in Henderson on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. Foothill won 1-0. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Las Vegas pitcher Brandon Smith pitches against Foothill during the fifth inning at Foothill High School in Henderson on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. Foothill won 1-0. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Foothill pitcher Andrew Hauck pitches against Las Vegas during the sixth inning at Foothill High School in Henderson on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. Foothill won 1-0. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Foothill first baseman Tyler Kara prepares to catch a ball at first base to tag out Las Vegas catcher Daniel Jimenez during the sixth inning at Foothill High School in Henderson on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. Foothill won 1-0. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Las Vegas pitcher Brandon Smith pitches against Foothill during the sixth inning at Foothill High School in Henderson on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. Foothill won 1-0. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Las Vegas pitcher Brandon Smith pitches against Foothill during the sixth inning at Foothill High School in Henderson on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. Foothill won 1-0. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Foothill pitcher Kelton Lachelt pitches against Las Vegas during the seventh inning at Foothill High School in Henderson on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. Foothill won 1-0. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Las Vegas’ Osvaldo Bernabee runs toward home in a last-ditch effort to score against Foothill during the seventh inning at Foothill High School in Henderson on Wednesday, April 4, 2018. Foothill won 1-0. Patrick Connolly Las Vegas Review-Journal @PConnPie
Las Vegas High starting pitcher Brandon Smith was spectacular against Foothill on Wednesday afternoon.
Foothill starter Andrew Hauck was even better.
Hauck out-dueled Smith by striking out 11 over six scoreless innings in a 1-0 home win over the Wildcats. The senior lefty and College of Southern Nevada signee also scored the lone run — unearned — in the first inning after reaching on an error.
He allowed two hits, walked two and earned quite a bit of praise from Falcons coach Matt Iglitz.
“When Andrew takes the ball, we expect good performances,” Iglitz said. “But what we’ve got in the last few weeks has been just flat out dominant.”
No kidding.
Hauck was 3-0 with a 1.59 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 22 innings before facing Las Vegas on Wednesday, and started the game by striking out the side.
He took advantage of a misplayed popup in the bottom of the first inning, scored on Chayse Parenteau’s RBI ground-out and overpowered Wildcats’ hitters for five more innings before ceding the mound to closer Kelton Lachelt.
“I’m always confident,” Hauck said. “Scoreboard is definitely a factor, but every time I pitch I’m just throwing, (trying to get) a zero every inning.”
Smith worked through jams in the second and fourth innings, and completed the game with four hits, three strikeouts and a walk to give Las Vegas a chance to win.
The Wildcats loaded the bases in the seventh inning, but Lachelt preserved the victory by inducing a game-ending flyout to right fielder Gage Streit.
“This game was a playoff time atmosphere,” Hauck said. “It’s going to show later on in the playoffs.”
