[New post] Evan Bihlman returns to form and leads Cardinals to 8-game win streak | Athlete of the Week
Shaun Holkko posted: "The Woodland Christian High School varsity baseball team has won eight consecutive games, in large part due to the contributions of Evan Bihlman. The versatile senior, who pitches and plays shortstop, has recently returned to form according to his head" Daily Democrat
The Woodland Christian High School varsity baseball team has won eight consecutive games, in large part due to the contributions of Evan Bihlman.
The versatile senior, who pitches and plays shortstop, has recently returned to form according to his head coach, John Rodegerdts.
"Earlier in the year, it was a combination of him pressing because he wants to play ball at the next level and has a couple places that he's looking at," Rodegerdts explained Monday afternoon. "I think he was trying to do too much. He struggled at the plate quite a bit in the early going. He was still getting hits and still batting over .300 but he's a .400, .500 kind of guy in D6. He should be above .400, for sure. I say he was struggling but he was still hitting the ball and getting his hits."
The Cardinals (14-2, 5-0 Central Valley California League) began April with a tournament championship in San Diego. While in Southern California, Rodegerdts said the team was able to bond in ways they couldn't have back at home.
"I think he's settled down now after San Diego so I'm looking forward to his at bats to come," Rodegerdts foreshadowed.
Woodland Christian returned home to Trafican Memorial Field last Thursday for a matchup against local rival, Esparto. The Cardinals smashed the Spartans 17-1 and were led to the win by Bihlman who went 3-for-3 and recorded four RBI with a homer and a double. He also added three runs scored and two stolen bases.
Woodland Christian senior shortstop Evan Bihlman awaits a pitch before hitting a home run during a 17-1 win against Esparto on Thursday, April 13 at Trafican Memorial Field in Woodland. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)
Woodland Christian senior shortstop Evan Bihlman draws a smile from Esparto senior shortstop Guillermo Avina after hitting a home run during a 17-1 win against Esparto on Thursday, April 13 at Trafican Memorial Field in Woodland. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)
Woodland Christian senior shortstop Evan Bihlman is mobbed by his teammates at home plate after hitting a homer during a 17-1 win against Esparto on Thursday, April 13 at Trafican Memorial Field in Woodland. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)
Woodland Christian senior shortstop Evan Bihlman has a mound visit with senior pitcher Jordan Sacramento during a 17-1 win against Esparto on Thursday, April 13 at Trafican Memorial Field in Woodland. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)
Woodland Christian senior shortstop Evan Bihlman holds Esparto senior utility player Lukas Treat close to second base during a 17-1 win against the Spartans on Thursday, April 13 at Trafican Memorial Field in Woodland. (Shaun Holkko/Daily Democrat)
Bihlman isn't known for having the biggest bat on the Woodland Christian roster but he currently leads the team in home runs with three on the season.
"He's led our team with home runs now which is kind of surprising," Rodegerdts proclaimed. "I don't look at him as a huge home run hitter but when he gets a hold of one, he's got power. I think he was trying too much with the power and not just getting hit after hit."
The Cardinals' bats remained hot Monday on the road at CVCL foe, Foresthill. Woodland Christian extinguished the Wildfires, prevailing 26-1.
Bihlman continued to roll with five RBI to bring his total to nine over the last two games. The skilled senior went 4-for-4 with three runs, two stolen bags, two doubles and a walk.
"When he's playing well, everyone is playing well. They look at him as a leader, but he's a quiet leader," Rodegerdts explained. "When he is on his game, that's when they start to realize that we all need to be on our game and take it serious. Some of the joking has stopped and we're going at it. They gravitate towards him.
"He's kind of quiet, not a real talker. For the last four years, he's led our team mostly from the field, not so much from talking."
On the mound, Bihlman sports a 3-0 record in 19 innings pitched with a 3.32 earned run average in seven appearances. He has struck out 24 batters, walked 12 hitters and allowed nine earned runs.
"He's a good pitcher. He's a pitcher, not a thrower," Rodegerdts said. "He relies on his sinker, curveball, placing his fastball in spots and he thinks through the game and how to get the guy out. There's others that can just throw it as hard as they want by batters and that's not how he is."
Away from the field, Rodegerdts said Bihlman reminds him of his youngest son, Brendan.
"He is a good human, he is just a good person," Rodegerdts explained. "He tries his hardest. He is so kind to others and it's just been a pleasure getting to know him. He's just a good human being that cares for other people and cares that he's toeing the line. He doesn't get in trouble. I don't know what his grade point average is but it's well-above 4.0. He's all-around just a great student, person and teammate."
The Cardinals will be back at home Thursday for a rematch against Foresthill. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
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