GRANGER — Wet conditions spoiled much of Saturday’s W-G Classic, but the hosts were able to provide a 5:30 p.m. contest for Ballard and Johnston, with the W-G playing the former in a nightcap.[wpedon id=”82220″ align=”center”]
Johnston was a 7- 1 winner in the first game, but Ballard came back to scored three times in the top of the seventh inning in the second contest to steal a 4-2 win from W-G.
The Hawks (3-2) had scored once in the bottom of the first to a 1-0 lead. The Bombers tied the game with a run in the top of the fifth, then plated three tallies in the seventh to seize a 4-1 advantage.
W-G refused to yield, and rallied for one run, but needed at least two more and suffered the non-conference setback.
Bryce Achenbach was 3-for-4 with a steal and a run scored to lead the Hawk offense. Reese Jamison drove in both W-G runs (Jack Grell was the other Hawk to touch home plate), with Brandon Worley adding a single while Cole Theisen walked twice and swiped a bag.
Theisen threw 6-2/3 innings from the rubber, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits. He issued two walks and struck out one, with Alex Bice recording a strikeout.
W-G hosts Earlham Monday and visting AC/GC Tuesday. They will play a WCAC twin bill Thursday at Woodward Academy, with the first game starting at 3:30 p.m., and will wrap the week with a Friday visit to Des Moines North.