By Mike Warner
For The New Era
Lebanon’s baseball team won a make-up doubleheader against McKay last week, then lost two to league leader Central in a busy week.
At home against Central on Thursday, April 16, the Warriors fell 9-0, then lost 8-3 on the road against the Panthers.
In the Thursday game, Lebanon was held to four hits. A “We played poorly,” Coach Jeff Stolsig said. “ Not characteristic of us.”
The Warriors played much better in the second game but still lost 8-3. Lebanon started scoring three runs in the top of the first but were held scoreless for the remainder of the game. The Warrior bats were more effective in the second game. Their four hits recorded three RBI.
Niko Autry jacked a home run, scoring two. Wyatt Jenkins recorded his fourth and fifth hit of the week, scoring one RBI.
The Warriors jumped on McKay early and often on Monday, April 13, after their initial scheduled games were postponed after officials failed to show.
Lebanon won the first game 19-0 and the second game 29-1.
Both games were run-ruled due to the huge leads. The Warrior offensive barrage was something to behold.
In total, the Warriors scored forty-eight runs on 30 hits and 19 walks.
The individual hit parade was just as impressive. Cohen Vandiver recorded five, Jaidyn Von Ruden had four. Trey Enright, Austin Turnidge and Wyatt Jenkins each had three. Eight other Warriors also had at least one hit.
The hits led to 35 RBIs, Jaidyn Von Ruden leading the team with eight and Wyatt Jenkins adding five. Warriors pitchers Preston Bryan, Cole Gerig, Owen Wodtli and Jonah King held the Scots to four hits and just one run.
The Warriors, 2-2 in league going into this week, are tied for fifth in the early running, with Central, Corvallis and Dallas, all 4-0, in an early tie for the top of the Mid-Willamette Conference.
Lebanon has three games scheduled this week, traveling to Corvallis on Monday, hosting Corvallis on Wednesday and traveling to Dallas on Friday.
Warrior Softball Drops Two League Games
Lebanon’s softball team opened its MWC schedule with losses to Central (13-1) and Corvallis (5-4).
Central was a tough game for the Warriors. The Panthers took command early and the Warriors never really got out of the blocks.
Central scored two runs in the first inning, six in the second, one in the third and four in the fourth. Lebanon was only able to score one run in the same time frame. The game ended 13-1.
The Corvallis game was much more competitive, as both teams battled all the way to the 5-4 win for the Spartans.
Lebanon took the lead scoring a run in the first and second innings. Corvallis scored twice in the top of the fourth to tie the game. Lebanon added another run in the bottom of the inning to retake the lead. Corvallis had a big fifth inning scoring three runs. Lebanon scored one in the bottom of the sixth but could not plate the tying run.
Lebanon out-hit the Spartans seven to six. Annastazia Marshall had three hits and Majestah Nida had two. Tatum Cole recorded three RBI.
The Lebanon defense allowed Corvallis to score in only two innings, while scoring in four themselves.
“The girls have been working very hard and had two double plays in Friday’s game,” Coach Julie Holden said. “I was so proud of them.”
The Warriors’ final non-league game, scheduled against Putnam on Wednesday, April 15, was cancelled.
Lebanon has three league games this week, traveling to West Albany on Monday, hosting Crescent Valley on Wednesday, April 22, and traveling to Silverton on Friday, April 24.
