John Wood Splits with 7th ranked Hawks
Game 1
In the first of four weekend games against the Heartland hawks, John Wood would walk away the victor by the final of 17-10. Evan Sohn drove in four runs on two hits to lead John Wood past Heartland. Sohn hit a home run to left field in the fourth inning, scoring three runs, and singled in the third inning, scoring one.
Both offenses were strong at the plate as John Wood collected 19 hits and Heartland 13 in the high-scoring affair. Heartland Hawks were the first to get on the board in the first when an error scored one run.
Hayden Rakestraw singled down the left field line, which helped John Wood tie the game at one in the top of the second. John Wood flipped the game on its head in the top of the third, scoring five runs on six hits to take the lead, 6-1. The biggest blow in the inning was a triple by Noah Deas that drove in two. Sohn homered to left field, scoring three runs in the top of the fourth for the John Wood CC. Michael Lucas hit a grand slam to left field in the top of the fifth for the John Wood CC.
Quin Saxer earned the win for John Wood. The southpaw allowed eight hits and seven runs (six earned) over three innings, striking out none and walking four. Jared Rodriguez pitched three and two-thirds innings in relief for John Wood. The right-handed pitcher surrendered four hits and three runs while, striking out four and walking one.
John Wood piled up 19 hits in the game. Haidyn McGill led John Wood with four hits in six at bats from the leadoff position. Deas, Kevin Martinez, Gavin Duran, and Jorey Anderson each collected multiple hits for John Wood. Sohn stole two bases. John Wood stole four bases in the game. John Wood turned one double play in the game.
In Game 2
Both teams were strong on the bump, but Heartland was just a little bit stronger at the plate in their 3-2 victory over John Wood. Gabe Wagner started the game for John Wood and recorded six outs.
John Wood lost despite out-hitting Heartland seven to five. Hayden Rakestraw led John Wood with two hits. Heartland Hawks were the first to get on the board in the first with a homered to left field, scoring two runs.
Logan Barnett earned the win for Heartland. The starter surrendered five hits and two runs over four and two-thirds innings, striking out four and walking three. Wagner took the loss for John Wood. The righty went two innings, giving up three runs on three hits, striking out three and walking one. Evan Sohn went 1-for-2 at the plate and led the team with one run batted in.
Game 4
John Wood built a 4-run lead in the seventh inning and then held off the Heartland charge for a 7-6 victory on Saturday. Heartland closed the gap by scoring on an error and a home run.
John Wood got on the board in the second inning after a passed ball scored one run.
A long home run to right field, helped Heartland tie the game at one in the top of the third. A hard hit single gave Heartland Hawks the lead, 2-1, in the top of the fourth.
Gavin Duran hit a solo home run to right field in the bottom of the sixth for John Wood.
John Wood flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the seventh, scoring five runs on five hits to take the lead, 7-3. The biggest blow in the inning was a double by Kevin Martinez that drove in two.
Drew Hahs earned the win for John Wood. The reliever gave up one hit and three runs (two earned) over two-thirds of an inning, striking out one and walking one. Tyler Dance stepped on the hill first for John Wood. The right-handed pitcher gave up eight hits and three runs (two earned) over six and two-thirds innings, striking out five and walking one. Ethan McMasters collected the save.
John Wood tallied 11 hits in the game. Evan Sohn and Martinez were a one-two punch in the lineup, as each drove in two runs for John Wood CC. Martinez led John Wood with three hits in four at bats. Jorey Anderson and Haidyn McGill each collected multiple hits for John Wood. John Wood turned three double plays in the game.
John Wood would split the series against the 7th ranked Hawks and earn 2nd place in Region 24 standings. Head Coach Adam Hightower had this to say after the series: "We talked a lot about not concerning ourselves with what we had already done in conference play. We were 10-2 in conference heading into this series. We wanted to make sure that we would be present this weekend and acknowledge that winning is hard, and each win gets harder. We talk a lot about "wave after wave, we never stop coming". I thought we did a good job of that especially in game one. We got a big lead, but we knew our opponent would not give in. They kept scoring but we responded with runs of our own every time they scored. We are proud of the way we battled this weekend, but we know that we still have work to do."
John Wood returns to action on Tuesday April 1st, when they travel to St. Charles CC for a two-game day. First pitch is scheduled for 12pm.