The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
On the sunny afternoon of Monday, August 21st, the WCJH Baseball team recorded a pair of victories against the West Prairie Cyclones. The 7th and 8th grade score was 12 to 11. The 6th grade team followed and posted a 4 to 1 win.
After a scoreless first inning, head coach Jeremy Burrell's 7th and 8th grade team took an early lead from the West Prairie Cyclones with Blake Durflinger crossing the plate in the top of the second inning.
West Prairie answered quickly and edged ahead with two runs in the bottom of the same inning. WC came back from the 2-1 deficit by stringing together five runs in the third inning. Logan Stogdill drew a lead off walk to spark the Heat's biggest inning at the plate. Brock Heap did the same, Kyle Mesecher hit down the third base line with an RBI single that scored Stogdill.
Ethan Pullen also added an RBI single to score Mesecher. Blake Durflinger contributed with a left side single. Pullen was tagged out in a close play at the plate.
Sam Hilten joined the rally, blasting an RBI stand up triple to deep left center to score Durflinger. Brandon Brent stepped up to the plate and sent a sacrifice fly to left field to allow Hilten to come home pushing the score to 6-2.
West Prairie was set down in order in the bottom of the third. In the top of the fourth inning Logan Stogdill started things off again with a single to left field. Brock Heap picked up an RBI when Stogdill came home.
West Prairie came back in the bottom of the fourth with a three run inning narrowing the gap 7 to 5, their threat would end with a pay back from Pullen throwing the ball from left field to home plate for the third out of the inning.
Starting Pitcher Kyle Mesecher would leave the mound with the lead after four complete innings allowing 4 hits with 7 strikeouts and 3 walks. Brent came on in relief in the top of the fifth to face the number two, three and four batters, catcher Sam Hilten erased the only base runner of the inning with a perfect throw down to second.
WC put up four more runs in the sixth inning sending the top of their order to the plate, Heap and Mesecher walked, Heap was thrown out at second, Pullen tripled to score Mesecher. Durflinger's shot to center field picked up an RBI that scored Pullen. Hilten and Brent walked while Lafary drew a walk that brought Durflinger home. Jared Clark put the ball in play. Stogdill walked bringing home Brent.
West Prairie battled back and tied the score 11 to 11 in the bottom of the sixth. In the top of the seventh the Cyclones stayed with their third pitcher of the day. Durflinger drew a two out walk, followed by a walk issued to Hilten, and Brent singled to load the bases.
The go ahead run came with Ethan Lafary drawing a walk to score Durflinger and take the lead 12 to 11. Eric Hilligoss entered the game on defense as the Heat held the Cyclones scoreless in the seventh for the win. Final Score 12 to 11.
Brent recorded his second win of the season allowing 6 runs (3 unearned) 4 hits, while recording 4 strikeouts, and two base on balls.
The 6th grade team took the field in the night cap, starting pitcher Kevin "Smiley" Burgus tossed two innings, Austin Meyer finished with two strikeouts in the third and final inning. Trey Goff worked behind the plate.
The lone run for West Prairie did not come until the bottom of the last inning. Burgus, Meyer and Matt Bundy picked up hits for WC. Crossing the plate for the younger Heat team was Burgus, Meyers, Bundy and Devin Ketelsen. Final Score 4 to 1 in favor of West Central.
At Monday evening's game, this strong core of young players consisted of Trey Goff at the catching position, Kevin Burgus and Austin Meyer as pitchers, Clayton Pullen at first base, Joel Fryrear at second base, Brandon Seitz at SS, Kyler Engen at third base, Zane Torrance and Tanner McGeehon in left field, Austin Meyer in center field, Matt Bundy in right field and newest member of the team Devin Ketelsen substituted at third base.
This was the 4th straight win in as many outings for the 7th and 8th grade team and the 2nd straight win for the 6th grade team.