Community R-6 didn't fare well during Tuesday's storm.

Community R-6 vs Hermann Photo Gallery

The Trojans lost 17-4 in six innings to Hermann at home after allowing 14 walks, eight errors and two hit by pitches. Hermann scored 12 runs in the second inning and plated 10 before the first out, which followed a four-run first by the Trojans.

Head coach Joel Krato said he saw the same issues from the Trojans (4-5) he has been seeing all season. He said the walks, errors and hit by pitches combine to 24 free bases and are a culmination of not bouncing back from a mistake. This withering confidence reminded Krato of a Nick Saban quote when he was preparing his house for a hurricane.

"He's asking people what kind of windows you put in," Krato said while paraphrasing the quote. "What does it take to break the windows? What does it take to break you as a person? Unfortunately, sometimes, it's a walk, a booted ball or a strikeout at the plate. You are mentally gone or mentally lacking confidence."

Krato said anything in life takes confidence and Community just wasn't mentally strong enough when a storm rolled into the second inning. He said a younger roster like Community's this season can be more susceptible.

However, Krato said the confidence and energy going into the game was good. He said it was even better than before the previous night's 7-2 win at Class 3 Monroe City (3-5) where Cooper Rohan struck out eight and allowed one earned run on three hits and three walks in seven innings. Krato said the mood was good partly because the Trojans were coming off a victory.

"We were more focused going into this game," Krato said. "We were ready to go. This is probably one of the best times where I've seen us ready to go."

Community was "firing on all cylinders" against Class 3 Hermann (5-9) in the first inning when it laid down three bunts in the inning. Kyler Swaim hit a two-RBI double and Lane Carter and Mark Zelle each brought home a run via a bunt groundout. 

Krato estimated that Community laid down 12 bunts and stole 14 bases against Monroe City the previous night and maintained that strategy to counteract 13 strikeouts. The Trojans struck out 10 more times against Hermann pitcher Cole Traub but couldn't use the small ball strategy this time.

"We played the small ball game really well when we needed to," Krato said. "Unfortunately, when you're down 12-4, it's hard to play the small ball game because you only have so many outs to use."

Zelle did well bunting against Monroe City as well so Krato complimented him after being elevated into the varsity starting lineup recently with one and half baseball experience. He plays outfield and moved Matthew Utterback to second base, and Krato said Utterback did well catching a liner an doubling a runner off at first base despite not playing infield before.

Nik Crider went 2-for-3 at the plate but also came into to pitch in relief early in the game. Krato said Crider "threw OK" in four innings with eight hits, four strikeouts, four walks and two earned runs.

Community (0-1 CAC) is scheduled to host Central Activities Conference foe Sturgeon (5-3, 3-0 CAC) at 5 p.m. Thursday. Krato hopes the Trojans show more mental toughness in that game.

"If we played like we did last night, we win today," Krato said.