Grand Island felt it had the ability to beat any team in the state this season.
The Islanders continued to prove it on Tuesday.
Eric Schwieger pitched a complete-game three-hitter, and Nathan Zook and Kash Kalkowski contributed key triples. Those factors along with another near-perfect defensive outing added up to a 2-1 win over fifth-seeded Omaha Westside in the Class A State Tournament winners' bracket semifinals at Haymarket Park.
The victory was the third-straight postseason upset of a higher-seeded Metro Conference team by the Islanders and snapped the Warriors' 17-game winning streak. G.I. has beaten each of the top four teams in the Omaha World-Herald's rankings since April 28.
With the win, Grand Island advances to face Millard North (24-5) at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Haymarket Park. Millard North defeated Millard West, 1-0, Tuesday.
Grand Island is 2-1 against Millard North this season, including a 4-3 win in the district championship.
Islander coach Rick Kissack said his eighth-seeded team has taken the right approach while moving within one win of playing for a state title.
"We don't take things for granted," he said. "We've figured out the mentality needed here (at state). We don't overanalyze things. We relax."
For the second-straight state tournament game, Grand Island (18-13) found itself trailing after the first inning, then saw its starting pitcher not give up another run the rest of the way.
Omaha Westside (25-6) took the lead in the top of the first after Conner Freeburg drew a walk in a 10-pitch at-bat. Jory Goldstrom's single to center field was misplayed, allowing Freeburg to score.
Schwieger retired 19 of the next 22 batters he faced.
"Eric did a good job of getting up on the batters," Kissack said. "This is as close to 100 percent as he's going to get in the spring coming back from his summer shoulder injury.
"The defense stepped up and made all the plays."
Schwieger put together a strong performance similar to the one he had in the district championship against Millard North.
"My offspeed (pitches) were great again," he said. "Today I kept them offbalance for the most part. I was getting groundouts and popouts through the course of the game."
After going through a 28-pitch first inning, Schwieger mowed through innings much more quickly. He had 14 pitches total in the fifth and sixth innings, part of the reason the game concluded in a thrifty one hour, 17 minutes.
"I calmed down after the first inning," Schwieger said. "I was economizing my pitches."
Grand Island's offense got on the board against pitcher Chris Williams in the bottom of the fourth. Nathan Zook led off with a triple that went past diving first baseman Jake Rupp and ended up in the rightfield corner.
"The first pitch (Williams) threw a change-up down the middle," Zook said. "I let it go. I kind of kicked myself in the butt.
"Then he threw a slider. At first I thought (the hit) was going foul, but coach kept waiving me over."
Kalkowski was happy to see Zook's triple.
"The first pitch I told him to swing at and he didn't," he said. "The second he drove hard."
Casey Griffin followed with a groundout to shortstop that easily scored Zook to tie the game.
Another triple led to the winning run in the fifth. With two outs, Kalkowski drove the ball into center field. Running at full speed to his left, Alec Williams reached out to get his glove on the ball, but it bounced off his palm. The play was originally scored an error but was later changed.
Luke Farrar followed with a single to send Kalkowski home.
"Nate Zook got us going with the triple down the right line," Kissack said. "Luke -- we're very lucky to get him from Lincoln High this year. He's one of our unsung people."
After the triple, Kalkowski was confident Farrar would drive him in. The duo combined for four of the Islanders' six hits.
"All I wanted to do was score," Kalkowski said. "I knew Luke was on today."
Schwieger and the defense made that run hold up. Kalkowski made several tough plays look routine at shortstop, and Farrar ended the game with an over-the-shoulder catch in center field.
Kalkowski said the team's improved defense is a big factor in its postseason run.
"At first (in the season), we had routine errors," he said. "They'd go through our legs. Everyone was (committing them). Now we're making great plays."
After pitching in Saturday's only game that wasn't postponed by rain, Kalkowski will return to the mound on Wednesday in the winners' bracket final.
"I'm ready," Kalkowski said. "I've had plenty of rest with a day off on Monday. I'm ready to pitch."
Omaha Westside (25-6) 100 000 0--1 3 1
Grand Island (18-13) 000 110 x--2 5 1
WP--Schwieger (3-1). LP--C. Williams (3-3). 3B--GI, Zook, Kalkowski.
Saturday's Game
At Sherman Field
Grand Island 8, Omaha Creighton Prep 2
Monday's Games
At Sherman Field
Omaha Westside 3, Papillion-La Vista South 0
Millard North 4, Lincoln Southeast 2
Millard West 3, Lincoln North Star 2
Tuesday's Games
At Sherman Field
Omaha Creighton Prep 15, Papillion-La Vista South 5
Lincoln North Star 9, Lincoln Southeast 8
At Haymarket Park
Grand Island 2, Omaha Westside 1
Millard North 1, Millard West 0
Wednesday's Games
At Sherman Field
Game 9: Omaha Creighton Prep (27-3) vs. Millard West (27-7), 4 p.m.
Game 10: Lincoln North Star (19-9) vs. Omaha Westside (25-6), 7 p.m.
At Haymarket Park
Game 11: Grand Island (18-13) vs. Millard North (24-5), 4 p.m.
Thursday's Games
At Sherman Field
Game 12: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 13: Game 12 winner vs. Game 11 loser, 7 p.m.
Friday's Games
At Haymarket Park
Game 14: Game 11 winner vs. Game 13 winner, 10 a.m.
Game 15: if necessary, 20 minutes after Game 14
Class B
Monday's Games
At Den Hartog Field
Gretna 5, Omaha Roncalli 4, 9 innings
Omaha Gross 11, Lincoln Pius X 1
Ralston 6, Omaha Skutt 3
Elkhorn 13, Blair 9
Tuesday's Games
At Den Hartog Field
Lincoln Pius X 3, Omaha Roncalli 1
Omaha Skutt 9, Blair 2
At Haymarket Park
Omaha Gross 7, Gretna 6 (8 innings)
Elkhorn 5, Ralston 3
Wednesday's Games
At Den Hartog Field
Game 9: Lincoln Pius X (13-13) vs. Ralston (11-7), 4 p.m.
Game 10: Omaha Skutt (12-12) vs. Gretna (11-11), 7 p.m.
At Haymarket Park
Game 11: Omaha Gross (16-10) vs. Elkhorn (19-9), 7 p.m.
Thursday's Games
At Den Hartog Field
Game 12: Game 9 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 13: Game 12 winner vs. Game 11 loser, 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 17
At Haymarket Park
Game 14: Game 11 winner vs. Game 13 winner, 10 a.m.
Game 15: if necessary, 20 minutes after Game 14
