By Times staff
ARGYLE - Baseball coaches often preach about hitting in the clutch and Argyle coach Travis Erickson is no different.
The Orioles received a series of clutch hits in a seven-run second inning that carried them to a 9-4 win over Black Hawk Monday.
Argyle (8-2, 4-1 Six Rivers East) has a chance to prove they are a contender in the conference since the Orioles host Barneveld in a doubleheader Thursday.
"We were not hitting in the clutch," Erickson said. "We will find out how good we really are."
Black Hawk sophomore Michael Walker hit a solo homer to left off Argyle junior starting pitcher Nate Thomas in the first inning. Black Hawk freshman Michael Powers also had an RBI single in the first to give the Warriors a 2-0 lead.
The Orioles batted around the order in a seven-run second off of Walker. Zach Mick singled and Nate Thomas walked. Argyle sophomore Stephan Shambrook then singled to left to load the bases. Argyle junior Charlie Rubio, who was 2-for-3, then delivered a two-run single. Sophomore Jared Johnson, who was 2-for-4, followed with a two-run single to center to give the Orioles a 4-2 lead. After Walker walked Matt Rosebrook, junior Cole Jordan hit an RBI single to left. Senior Nick Martin then came through with an RBI single just over second base to give the Orioles a 7-2 lead.
Thomas pitched four innings for Argyle and gave up two earned runs on three hits. He struck out nine and walked one. Martin pitched three innings in relief and gave up one earned run on three hits. He struck out four and walked one.
Walker went 2-for-3 to lead the Warriors. He pitched six innings and struck out 12, but gave up seven earned runs. The Orioles had the bases loaded and no outs in the fourth, but could only push across one run.
"He (Walker) was living and dying on the curveball," Erickson said. "We have to get more aggressive at the plate in those situations."
Pecatonica 12, Belleville 2
BLANCHARDVILLE - The Vikings remained in a hitting zone by pounding out 13 hits in a non-conference win over Belleville in five innings.
Pecatonica (8-5, 2-0) broke the game open with a seven-run second. The Vikings had four players with multi-hit games including junior Tannar Johnson (3-for-4 with three RBIs), junior Taylor Berg (3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs), senior Chris Hendrickson (2-for-3 with two RBIs) and senior Devin Jeglum (2-for-3). Sophomore Karson Feller also had two RBIs.
"We hit the ball really well tonight up and down the lineup," Pecatonica coach Jim Strommen said.
Seven of the Vikings' 13 hits went for extra bases. The Vikings used three pitchers. Berg pitched two shutout innings and struck out three. Jeglum pitched two innings and gave up one earned run on two hits. He struck out two and walked one. Freshman Jake Scoville also tossed one shutout inning.
Strommen said it was nice to get both Berg and Jeglum innings on the mound since both have battled injuries. Jeglum has returned from a groin injury and Berg has battled arm problems.
"Hopefully, down the road that will help us," Strommen said. "We have counted on them as pitchers and they haven't been able to contribute much due to injuries."
Cuba City 14, Darlington 10
CUBA CITY - The Redbirds lost a SWAL slugfest to the Cubans Monday.
Cuba City jumped out to a 3-0 lead and they used an eight-run third inning to open up an 11-1 lead.
Darlington came back and cut the Cubans' lead to 13-10 after a six-run fifth.
Darlington senior Jason Boll and senior Colton Carpenter each went 2-for-3 to lead the Redbirds.
Darlington junior Wade Black took the loss. Black pitched 2 1/3 innings and gave up six runs on six hits. Senior Ronnie Rush pitched 3 2/3 innings and gave up one earned run on eight hits.
ARGYLE - Baseball coaches often preach about hitting in the clutch and Argyle coach Travis Erickson is no different.
The Orioles received a series of clutch hits in a seven-run second inning that carried them to a 9-4 win over Black Hawk Monday.
Argyle (8-2, 4-1 Six Rivers East) has a chance to prove they are a contender in the conference since the Orioles host Barneveld in a doubleheader Thursday.
"We were not hitting in the clutch," Erickson said. "We will find out how good we really are."
Black Hawk sophomore Michael Walker hit a solo homer to left off Argyle junior starting pitcher Nate Thomas in the first inning. Black Hawk freshman Michael Powers also had an RBI single in the first to give the Warriors a 2-0 lead.
The Orioles batted around the order in a seven-run second off of Walker. Zach Mick singled and Nate Thomas walked. Argyle sophomore Stephan Shambrook then singled to left to load the bases. Argyle junior Charlie Rubio, who was 2-for-3, then delivered a two-run single. Sophomore Jared Johnson, who was 2-for-4, followed with a two-run single to center to give the Orioles a 4-2 lead. After Walker walked Matt Rosebrook, junior Cole Jordan hit an RBI single to left. Senior Nick Martin then came through with an RBI single just over second base to give the Orioles a 7-2 lead.
Thomas pitched four innings for Argyle and gave up two earned runs on three hits. He struck out nine and walked one. Martin pitched three innings in relief and gave up one earned run on three hits. He struck out four and walked one.
Walker went 2-for-3 to lead the Warriors. He pitched six innings and struck out 12, but gave up seven earned runs. The Orioles had the bases loaded and no outs in the fourth, but could only push across one run.
"He (Walker) was living and dying on the curveball," Erickson said. "We have to get more aggressive at the plate in those situations."
Pecatonica 12, Belleville 2
BLANCHARDVILLE - The Vikings remained in a hitting zone by pounding out 13 hits in a non-conference win over Belleville in five innings.
Pecatonica (8-5, 2-0) broke the game open with a seven-run second. The Vikings had four players with multi-hit games including junior Tannar Johnson (3-for-4 with three RBIs), junior Taylor Berg (3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs), senior Chris Hendrickson (2-for-3 with two RBIs) and senior Devin Jeglum (2-for-3). Sophomore Karson Feller also had two RBIs.
"We hit the ball really well tonight up and down the lineup," Pecatonica coach Jim Strommen said.
Seven of the Vikings' 13 hits went for extra bases. The Vikings used three pitchers. Berg pitched two shutout innings and struck out three. Jeglum pitched two innings and gave up one earned run on two hits. He struck out two and walked one. Freshman Jake Scoville also tossed one shutout inning.
Strommen said it was nice to get both Berg and Jeglum innings on the mound since both have battled injuries. Jeglum has returned from a groin injury and Berg has battled arm problems.
"Hopefully, down the road that will help us," Strommen said. "We have counted on them as pitchers and they haven't been able to contribute much due to injuries."
Cuba City 14, Darlington 10
CUBA CITY - The Redbirds lost a SWAL slugfest to the Cubans Monday.
Cuba City jumped out to a 3-0 lead and they used an eight-run third inning to open up an 11-1 lead.
Darlington came back and cut the Cubans' lead to 13-10 after a six-run fifth.
Darlington senior Jason Boll and senior Colton Carpenter each went 2-for-3 to lead the Redbirds.
Darlington junior Wade Black took the loss. Black pitched 2 1/3 innings and gave up six runs on six hits. Senior Ronnie Rush pitched 3 2/3 innings and gave up one earned run on eight hits.
