Lethal lefties lead Warriors in victories

By Aaron Geerts Express staff writer

The Winters High School varsity baseball club laced up its cleats for another week of competition starting with an away game against Wheatland High School on Monday, March 27.

It was a tough start to the game, as the Warriors yielded three runs to the Pirates in the first inning. The second and third innings were scoreless for both teams, but the Warrior bats woke up in the fourth and the squad scored four runs. The Pirates answered with one of their own, in the fourth, to tie up the game. Unfortunately, the Warrior’s offense was isolated to the fourth inning while their errors allowed Wheatland to score one more run in the fifth inning and three in the sixth to win the game 8–4. Mother Nature let her presence be known yet again last week with her rain pushing the Warriors’ games against Pierce High School into a doubleheader on Friday, March 31.

Lefty, Anthony Duran was on the bump for the Warriors in the first game and pitched five glorious innings allowing only two runs in the first inning along with four strikeouts.

Offensively, the Warriors systematically dismantled the Bears scoring one run in the first inning, seven in the second, two in the fourth and five in the fifth.

Meanwhile, Arbuckle racked up eight errors in their 15–2 loss which was called in the fifth inning due to the mercy rule. As a team, the Warriors had six hits, six walks and eight stolen bases.

After a brief intermission, the Warriors were ready to roll for round two against the Bears with fellow lethal lefty, Jordan Calvert taking the mound for the Warriors. Calvert torched the Bears with seven strikeouts, allowing only one run while going two for four at the plate with three RBI’s. Also getting the job done at the plate was Duran who went two for four with two runs scored and a stolen base, and Justice Madsen who went one for three at the plate, scoring three runs along with two stolen bases. Overall, the Warriors’ quality at-bats yielded 11 walks total and a 12–1 victory that was called again in the fifth due to the mercy rule.

“I’m very happy with the first game. Duran’s effort stood out to me. He battled through some early adversity and had some great work at the plate and on the bases as well,” said head coach Austin Calvert. “In game two of that doubleheader, I was pleased with the result and it was another fantastic outing by Jordan. The Warriors’ discipline at the plate and aggressiveness on the bases is what made all the difference in that game.”