War Eagles start season undefeated at 3-0

By KEITH ANDERSON
Baseball Coach

The Wakulla High War Eagles started their season with 3 wins this past week.
On opening day, Tuesday, Feb. 20th, the War Eagles hosted Godby defeating them 10-0 notching the first win of the season.
Senior Leaston Spears started on the mound for WHS. Receiving the win, he threw 3 shutout innings giving up 2 hits and striking out 4.
Jesse Nazworth closed the final 2 innings also giving up only 2 hits, striking out 4 throwing 2 shutout innings.
The War Eagles were led by senior catcher Brady Crum who crushed a 2-run single going 1-2 with 2 walks.
Parker Lawhon, Michael Hurley, Gavin Gautreau, and Garrett Veltkamp all chipped in a hit. Owen Klees reached base safely in each at-bat drawing three walks and stealing 2 bases.
On Thursday, Feb. 22, the War Eagles traveled to district foe Taylor County. The War Eagles jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the fourth, but had some defensive miscues that led to a 7-run inning for the bulldogs. The War Eagles settled down and held on to win 11-10.
Will Chipman got the start for WHS throwing 3 shutout innings scattering 3 hits and striking out 3.
Jesse Nazworth came in during the chaotic 4th inning to settle things down. The senior hurler pitched masterfully. He threw 3 and 1/3 innings giving up only 2 hits and striking out five. After 2 errors in the bottom of the 7th, Nazworth showed his experience and poise striking the last hitter out with the tying and winning runs in scoring position.
WHS cranked out 9 hits in the affair. Haden Klees was 3-4 with a double and 2 RBIs.
Parker Lawhon and Michael Hurley were both 2-3. Lawhon had a triple and Hurley added a double. Owen Klees and Garrett Veltkamp both had a hit.
On Friday, Feb. 23, the War Eagles hosted Brookwood School from Thomasville. The War Eagles jumped out to an early lead scoring 4 runs in the first inning and never looked back winning 13-0 in five innings.
Starter Gavin Estep was dominant getting the win throwing 4 shutout innings scattering 3 hits and striking out 5.
Connor Nazworth came on in relief in the top of the fifth to throw a scoreless inning striking out 2.
Josiah Pierini and Sam Bruce had multiple hits both going 2-2. Bruce had a double. Pierini had the big blow with a towering three run homer to left center.
Haden Klees, Brady Crum, Garrett Veltkamp, Gavin Gautreau, and Jed Hoffman each had a hit.
The War Eagles are 3-0 on the year.