LAGRANGE — That’s why they don’t play the game on paper.

In the most important game of the season, Wawasee’s baseball team picked up its biggest win. The Warriors upset Tippecanoe Valley 10-4 in the opening game of the IHSAA Class 3-A Baseball Sectional Tournament at Lakeland.

After a scoreless first inning, the Warriors opened things up in the second with five runs.

“That start was huge,” stated a relieved Wawasee head coach Brent Doty. “Our guys were focused and prepared tonight. The dugout was great. There was just a big difference in our guys tonight than we’ve had in some games this year. We sort of went to sleep in the middle innings once (Eric) Hammer got in the game, and he’s a great pitcher, but we just continued to fight and broke it open late.”

Wawasee’s big second inning forced Valley starter Luke Helton out of the game. The Vikings ace, Hammer, came in as relief and held the Warriors from piling on. While Valley was hoping to save Hammer for a potential semifinal game on Friday, the Warriors put an end to that.

“Both of those guys are great pitchers,” Doty said of Valley’s hurlers. “We can’t control which guy they throw against us so we prepared for both. We expected to see Helton, but we planned for both. We just really focused on the things we could control.”

Lucas Garza kept things in control on the mound for Wawasee. The senior went six innings, gave up three earned runs and struck out three Viking batters.

“Lucas Garza was phenomenal tonight. He did exactly what you expect to see from a senior in a big game,” added the coach.

Garza was also 3-5 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored. Jacob Garcia and Gavin Barker were each 2-3 on the night while Chase Rookstool was 1-3 with two RBIs.

Wawasee added insurance in the sixth and seventh innings, four runs coming in the final frame. It was a complete 180 from what the Warriors had been doing in big games all season.

“We just have not had many complete games,” Doty said. “We’ve struggled late in games but tonight we were consistent, held Valley when we needed to and picked up lots of two-out and two-strike hits.”

Wawasee will now move on to play Northern Lakes Conference foe and three-time defending sectional champion NorthWood in Friday’s semifinal. The Warriors lost to the Panthers in last year’s sectional championship and were swept in the season series this year ( 7-1, 5-0). Can the third time be the charm for the Warriors?

“I sure hope so,” Doty offered. “It’s always a battle with them, regardless of the outcome or records. NorthWood is a fantastic opponent. We’re going to need the same intensity we had here tonight.”

Valley was led at the plate by Hammer who was 3-4. The Vikings close the season with a record of 15-9.

Wawasee (8-19-1) and NorthWood will play at 5 p.m. Friday night at Lakeland High School with Lakeland and Fairfield to follow in the evening’s second semifinal.