DeMilia ends coaching run at Bryan
By Eric Taylor
Leader sports editor
Bryan’s 4-3 loss to Skutt in the Area 4 Tournament Sunday evening marked the end of its Legion baseball and the final game for coach Mike DeMilia.
DeMilia is stepping down as Bryan coach after five years as the head man. He will remain at Bryan as a teacher.
“I’m comfortable with my decision,” DeMilia said. “We’ll see what the next year or so brings, but I’d like to coach again.”
As has been the case in his five years at Bryan, DeMilia’s team went down fighting.
With leading hitter Cody Kottich on the bench after suffering from dehydration the previous day, Bryan battled Skutt to a 2-2 draw through six innings.
Skutt scratched out single runs in the seventh and eighth before Bryan made one final push.
Pinch-hitter Kottich reached base on an error to start the inning and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly from JD Urban.
Bryan got runners at first and second with two outs, but Braxton Arndt hit into a fielders choice to end the game.
“We both had our chances, but they were able to get the big hit,” DeMilia said. “I felt bad for Cody because I know he really wanted to play, but there was no way we could do that.
“I’m glad he was able to get in the game and score our last run.”
DeMilia took Bryan to the summer Legion tourney in 2008 and his 2009 spring team advanced as well.
“Those were great moments, but I think what I’m most proud of is that Bryan became a team that no one could take lightly,” DeMilia said. “Our teams always played hard and with effort and emotion.”
Tourney recap:
Bryan 6, Northwest 4 – Bryan used a five-run seventh to build a 6-0 lead and hung on to win the opener.
Kottich and Urban each had three hits for Bryan with Nate Wymer and Braxton Arndt adding two apiece.
Bryce Mayfield went eight innings for the win, allowing two earned runs and striking out eight.
Jordan Binder got the final three outs for the save.
Millard South 15, Bryan 10 – Bryan fell behind 12-2 before making things interesting with eight runs in the seventh.
Mayfield hit a grand slam in the inning while Urban finished with three hits and Adam Severson two.
Bryan 10, Benson 3 – Bryan staved off elimination with the victory Saturday morning.
Bryan scored five runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to take control.
Mayfield had four RBIs in the victory with Wymer driving in two.
Kyle Cunningham pitched five innings in relief of Kottich to earn the victory.
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