EARLHAM — An 11-1 win over Earlham Friday followed a satisfying sweep of visiting and seventh-ranked Des Moines Christian Thursday to lift No. 5 Woodward-Granger to 12-4-1 overall. The Hawk hardballers are 8-1-1 in WCAC play.
DMC (8-6, 8-2) had rallied to stun, and eliminate, host W-G in a district final last season. The Hawks earned some measure of revenge by following a 3-2 eight-inning win with a 7-5 triumph Thursday.
The Lions held a 2-1 lead in the first game before the Hawks forced extra frames as the visitor on the scoreboard with a run in the top of the seventh. The go-ahead run crossed the dish in the top of the eighth, setting the stage for a tense finish.
DMC had runners on second and third with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, with starter Brandon Worley lifted for Justin Wheeler. He faced on batter, hitting him with a pitch to load the bases.
Reese Jamison was sent to the hill to settle the issue, and the senior came through, inducing a fly out to center field to preserve the victory.
Worley had gone 7-2/3 frames, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out seven and walking five.
Worth Henry had two hits, a run and a RBI, with Tate Lettow providing a single and a RBI, with Jamison recording a hit while Worley drew a walk. Courtesy runner Christian Husmann scored twice for the Hawks.
Trey Castile pitched all eight innings for the Lions, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk. He struck out six.
Kole Bradley had a single, a double and two RBIs, with Colby Shelton and Castile having two singles apiece.
The second game had its share of drama as well. W-G led, 7-2, after five innings, only to have DMC plate one run in the sixth and two in the seventh before being turned away.
Alex Bice went the distance, allowing five runs on five hits and two walks while retiring eight batters on strikes.
Jamison, Henry, Simmons, Lettow, Worley, Pacey Moats, Caden Easter and Jamison all had hits. Henry and Moats each had a pair of RBIs, with Easter, Lettow and Colby Tague also driving in runs.
Achenbach and Easter scored two runs apiece, with Jamison, Henry and Simmons also touching the dish.
Adam Witty lasted three innings for the Lions. He was touched for six runs (three earned) on two hits, a walk and hit batter. Garrett Penland allowed seven hits and an unearned run in four frames. Witty struck out two and Penland one.
Friday’s game at Earlham was far more relaxed for W-G, as the guests used run tallies of 4-3-2 in the first three innings to open a 9-0 gulf. The Hawks scored twice in the fifth, with the Cardinals adding one tally, ending the game via the mercy rule.
Jay Dorenkamp went two frame, allowing a hit and two strikeouts, with Caden Easter pitching two innings, walking one and striking out four. Nate Rosen finished up, allowing a run and a walk in one stanza.
Jamison had a triple, two singles, three runs and a RBI. Henry had two hits, a run and a RBI while Tague scored one run and drove in three while hitting a double. Achenbach had a single, two runs and two RBIs with Moats tallying two RBIs and a run.
W-G hosts CAM Monday, visits AC/GC Tuesday and Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Wednesday before hosting Panorama Thursday and Chariton Friday.
