VAN METER — Woodward-Granger twice had a runner on third base in the top of the seventh but could not send the tying run across the plate as Van Meter held on for a 2-1 win in WCC hardball action Tuesday.
The Hawks were first on the board with a tally in the top of the second.
Logan Lande drew a two-out walk and moved to second on a Marcus McConahay base hit. Race Brant followed with a single to plate Lande and put the hosts ahead, 1-0.
Van Meter answered with a run in their ensuing at-bat, then added a controversial run in the bottom of the third.
Hawk catcher Michael Connor appeared to have thrown out a would-be Bulldog thief trying to steal third, but obstruction was called, making the runner safe. The next pitch was wild, allowing what became the winning run to score.
W-G created plenty of excitement in the top of the seventh, with Tre Loge reaching on an errant throw and racing to second. McConahay followed one out later with a single to move pinch runner Mason Burkhart to third, with Burkhart called out at home off a Brant ground ball to shortstop.
McConahay raced to third on the play and Brant to second, with Alex Bodermann attempting to catch the hosts napping by trying a squeeze bunt with two strikes. Unfortunately for the Hawks the bunt was foul, ending the game.
Dylan Garland pitched well for W-G, allowing two runs (both earned) on five hits and five walks while striking out three.
McConahay was 3-for-3 with two stolen bases, with Connor 2-for-3 while Brant had the lone Hawk RBI while Brady Aunspach added a base hit.
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VAN METER 2, WOODWARD-GRANGER 1
at Van Meter, June 2
Team R H E
W-G 010 000 0 — 1 7 x
VM 011 000 x — 2 5 1
W-G: Garland and Connor. WP: Niblo. LP: Garland.
