War Eagles ranked No. 5 in state with 18-3-1 record
By KEITH ANDERSON
Baseball Coach
The War Eagle baseball team, ranked #5 in the state in 4A, entered last week with 15-3-1 record.
On Tuesday, April 16, WHS hosted Blountstown. The War Eagles won the game by mercy rule 19-0.
Ryan Newberry started on the mound receiving the win throwing 2 innings of no hit shutout baseball. Hayden Wright preserved the no-hitter with a shutout inning also.
The War Eagle bats were hot. Michael Hurley was 3-3, Brady Crum was 2-2, and Josiah Pierini was 2-2. The big blow came in the second inning when the War Eagles scored 14 runs.
Two War Eagle hitters, Josiah Pierini and Jed Hoffman each had a grand slam homerun in the same inning. Sam Bruce, Will Chipman, Owen Klees, Josh Merrill all had a hit a piece.
On Thursday, April 18, The War Eagles hosted highly ranked North Florida Christian. The War Eagles had a 2-2 tie in 10 innings earlier in the year so this proved to be a good ballgame.
Starting pitcher Gavin Estep threw a gem, scattering 8 hits and 1 earned run in 6 innings of work. Jesse Nazworth came on in the 7th to get the save throwing a shutout inning.
The War Eagles jumped out to score 4 runs in the first and never looked back. Leadoff/Centerfielder Parker Lawhon had a big night making several nice defensive plays, leading WHS on offense going 2-4 and stealing 2 bases.
Brady Crum, Sam Bruce, Gavin Gautreau, and Josiah each had a hit in the pitcher’s duel. Michael Hurley and Jed Hoffman each had an RBI.
On Friday, April 19th, the War Eagles traveled to Florida High and completed the 3-game sweep for the week winning 10-4.
Starter Leaston Spears threw 4 strong innings giving up 1 hit and 0 earned runs to receive the win. Lefthander Will Chipman came on in relief to pitch the last 3 innings giving up 1 hit and striking out 3.
Haden Klees had a big night at the plate going 3-4 with 2 doubles and 3 RBIs. Parker Lawhon was 2-4 with 2 RBI’s. Josiah Pierini was 2-3. Michael Hurley added a double and Joe Reyes had a single.
The War Eagles go into the last week of the season with a record of 18-3-1.
Wakulla defeats Lincoln 8-2 on Thursday
PHOTOS BY PERRY DISSMORE
