GRANGER — Des Moines Christian rallied for five runs in the top of the sixth inning Monday to steal the Class 2A District 12 Final from host Woodward-Granger.
The Hawks (23-8) looked to be in great shape after their own five-run inning. The second inning explosion offset a single tally from the Lions (27-8) in the top of the frame to put the score at 5-1, where it remained until the fateful sixth.
W-G put a pair of runners on base in their first at-bat but could not score, with DMC grabbing a 1-0 lead in their second turn at the plate.
The hosts used selective hitting and a good eye to stage their surge. Brandon Worley began the spurt with a base hit, with Bryce Achenbach reaching on a bunt single, with an errant throw granting an extra base.
A second Lion error and walks that surrounded a clutch two-run single from Reese Jamison pushed the Hawks into a 4-1 lead. A third misplay helped make the score 5-1 and the home half of the big crowd was in full voice.
W-G junior starter Alex Bice cruised through the third and fourth innings, throwing just six pitches and then only 10 in a pair of quick frames. He also kept the Lions from scoring in the fifth, but the Hawks suddenly found themselves stifled as well, as junior Kole Bradley — on for ace Brett Shelton, who lasted just one inning — settled in nicely.
Bradley finished the second inning, then tossed the next three, walking four but not allowing a hit and striking out eight. Shelton had yielded five runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks in one inning.
A walk, hit batsman and walk had DMC in business in the sixth, with consecutive errors bringing the guests to within 5-3 and chasing Bice for fellow junior Brandon Worley. A clutch two-run single form Adam Witty tied the game, with a sacrifice fly plating the go-ahead run.
Andrew Fox was brought in for the final two frames on the hill for DMC. He walked one and allowed a Trevor Simmons base hit in the seventh but ended the Hawk season with his third strikeout.
Bice allowed five runs (four earned) on three hits, two walks and a hit batter in 5-1/3 innings, with Worley yielding a run on a hit. Bice struck out four and Worley three.
While DMC and their nine seniors advance to today’s Substate Final against Roland-Story (19-17) in Nevada, the two W-G seniors and the rest of the Hawks had their season end with the setback, as Rhodes and Hunter Pifer played in their final games for head coach Eric Evans and the Hawks.
