GRANGER — Class 2A No. 7 Woodward-Granger has blown out the majority of their opposition this season, and had whipped Des Moines Christian, 10-0, in their June 12 meeting.
On Tuesday the Lions were determined to make the Hawks sweat. Two DMC runners crossed the plate in the top of the seventh to trim a 5-1 deficit to 5-3, but the guests could not find a way to add to their rally as the hosts prevailed in their WCAC battle.
W-G (20-0, 13-0) had countered a DMC (12-8, 8-5) run in the top of the first with three scores of their own. Single Hawk tallies in the third and fourth grew the lead to 5-1 before the Lions created a bit of drama in the seventh.
The two-run margin of victory is the second smallest of the season for W-G, who defeated Davenport West, 8-7, earlier in the campaign. W-G has now one once by two runs, once by three and three times by four runs.
Matt Rhodes (3-0) went the distance, allowing three runs (one unearned) on three hits and three walks. He finished with five strikeouts and aided his own cause at the plate by driving in two runs and having courtesy runner Austin Scharlau (running for Rhodes) scoring twice.
Rhodes, Marcus McConahay, Reese Jamison, Cole Theisen, Matt Buch and Bryce Achenbach each had base hits for the hosts. Theisen drove in two runs and Buch one, with McConahay and Achenbach each scoring once.
Spencer Hansen also scored once and was on base three times after earning a trio of bases on balls.
W-G hosts West Central Valley for a WCAC varsity twinbill starting at 5 p.m. Thursday. They will then visit Winterset Friday.
