DARLINGTON — The Redbirds defeated the Wildcats 16-3 on Friday, May 5 thanks to two home runs from Riggs Black and Breylin Goebel.

Darlington scored seven runs in the second and eight runs in the third to take a convincing 15-1 lead. Barrett Vieth singled through the right side, and Carson Mosley drove him in with a single to left. Talan Crist extended the inning with a two-out, RBI single. Southwestern’s pitcher loaded the bases via walk then hit Reagan Jackson to bring in a run. Gage Banfield then doubled to left for a 7-1 lead.

Riggs Black led off the bottom of the third with a home run over the left field fence. Tye Crist and Maddox Goebel then hit back-to-back doubles. After a flyout, Jackson and Banfield hit back-to-back singles. The last three runs of the inning came around to score on a double from Black and single from Talan Crist.

Talan Crist, Black and Banfield all had multiple hit games, while Banfield drove in a team-best four runs. In the circle, Banfield also picked up the win, giving up just one earned run on four hits. He struck out four and didn’t issue a walk. 

Monroe’s streak snapped

MONROE — After winning its last three games, Monroe’s winning streak came to an end with an 11-1 loss to Warren on Friday, May 5. Braden Rupnow recorded the Cheesemakers’ only hit. Drew Indergand suffered the loss, giving up three earned runs on three hits. He struck out one in one inning pitched.

The Cheesemakers were unable to rebound in their doubleheader against Oregon on Saturday, May 6. Monroe dropped both games 8-4 and 16-1. In two games, the Cheesemakers tallied seven hits — all singles aside for a double from Ethan Rosenstiel. Keegan Dahmen and Rosenstiel suffered the losses.

Highland sweeps Monticello-Albany

MONTICELLO — In a Six Rivers crossover doubleheader on Friday, May 5, Highland swept Monticello-Albany 11-0 and 13-2. Brayden Bakken recorded hits in both games and had one of two RBIs in game two. Despite his offensive success, Bakken suffered the loss in game two, while Tyler Patchen took the loss in game one.

Brodhead-Juda 1-1 in two-day span

BRODHEAD — Despite outhitting the Eagles 5-4, Brodhead-Juda fell to Jefferson 5-0 in a Rock Valley Conference game on Thursday, May 4.

The first five batters in the order — Aidyn Vondra, Sam Searls, David Masloske, Ryan Searls and Clayton Elliott — recorded hits. All were singles aside from Ryan Searls’s double. Evan Senobe suffered the loss, giving up two earned runs on four hits. 

The Cardinals rebounded on Friday, May 5 to defeat Mount Horeb 14-8. Trent Neeley sparked the offense, as the second baseman went 3-for-5 with two doubles and four RBIs. Brody Riese, who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, collected the win. He allowed two earned runs on four hits. 

Vikings suffer first loss

BLANCHARDVILLE — The fifth inning proved pivotal in Pecatonica’s 3-2 loss to Potosi-Cassville on Friday, May 5. The Chieftains scored two runs to the Vikings’ one, handing No. 3-ranked Pecatonica its first loss of the season.

After an error and fielder’s choice allowed the first two Chieftains to reach base, relief pitcher Tyler McKeon loaded the bases with a five-pitch walk. Ethan Kerkhoff then came through with a two-RBI single, which proved to be the game winner.

Potosi-Cassville starting pitcher Eli Adams limited Pecatonica to just three hits — one each from Elijah Knutson, Coy Ruegsegger and McKeon. Jameson Johnson suffered the loss, giving up three unearned runs on three hits. He struck out five and walked three.

River Ridge shuts out Argyle

PATCH GROVE — The Orioles mustered just three hits in their 2-0 loss to the Timberwolves on Friday, May 5. Will Helfvogt, Ike Waage and Weston Ganshert each recorded a single. Max Godfrey suffered the loss, giving up two earned runs on three hits. He struck out 13 batters and walked two. 

Benton-Shullsburg 10-run rules Black Hawk

BENTON — The Zephyrs used a seven-run third to defeat the Warriors 12-2 in five innings on Friday, May 5. 

The first inning was a wash, as both teams scored two runs. Carter Baumgartner led off the game with a single to center followed by another single from Dylan Haldiman. Brett Haldiman drove the first run in with a groundout to third, and Jadeyn Pryce brought Dylan Haldiman home with a single up the middle.

The remaining two Warrior hits came from Jackson Berget and Lane Jensen. Baumgartner suffered the loss, giving up seven earned runs on five hits. He struck out eight and walked two. The Warriors committed 11 errors.