***Kendall Vincent is a participant of The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program, funded by the Harry Anderson Memorial Trust.
The A/W varsity Titans dominated their two-game series against the Stark County Rebels, picking up convincing 12-1 and 8-3 victories.
With explosive offense, strong pitching performances from Koeyn DeClercq and Zeb Rashid, and solid defense, the Titans showcased their depth and momentum as they continue a strong start to the season.
Titans 12, Rebels 1
The Titans delivered a commanding performance on Friday, securing a 12-1 win.
The Titans set the tone early in the top of the first inning with two singles that led to their first run, highlighted by a run-scoring hit from Rashid.
In the second inning, A/W added two more runs, with Kellan Keane lining a single down the right field line to make it 4-0.
A six-run explosion in the fifth inning broke the game wide open. The Titans capitalized on an error, followed by Koeyn DeClercq’s RBI single, a bases-loaded walk drawn by Devon Horrie, a two-run single from Maddux Heitzler, and a groundout by Rashid that brought another run home.
Jaxson Dunn added the finishing touch in the sixth with a two-run home run to right field.
DeClercq earned the win for the Titans, giving up just one hit and one run over six innings. He struck out six and walked five. Stark County’s Kaedon Steelman started on the mound, allowing nine hits and eight runs (six earned) over four innings, while recording three strikeouts and three walks.
The Titans collected 12 hits total, with Brody Childs, Rashid, and DeClercq each recording two. Heitzler and Dunn both drove in a pair of runs. Defensively, the Titans were flawless, turning one double play and committing no errors. Childs led the team with seven fielding chances.
Khaiden Turnbull drove in the lone run for the Rebels, and Steelman managed the only hit for Stark County, going 1-for-2. The Rebels also turned a double play in the game.
Titans 8, Rebels 3
Rashid turned in a lights-out performance on the mound Friday evening, striking out 11 batters over five dominant innings to lead the Titans to an 8-3 win over Stark County. Rashid allowed just one hit and two runs while issuing four walks in a commanding start.
The Titans wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. In the top of the first, a fielder’s choice off the bat of Brody Childs brought home the game’s opening run.
A/W extended its lead in the third, capitalizing on a costly error by Stark County and adding runs off a single down the right field line by Childs and a dropped third strike, building a comfortable 4-0 cushion.
Stark County starter Connor Daum took the loss despite a solid outing. The lefty went 5.1 innings, giving up seven hits and five runs — only two of which were earned — while striking out six and walking three. Maddux Heitzler took over in relief for the Titans to close out the game.
A/W tallied nine hits in the win. Childs had a strong day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Kellan Keane and Nic Thurston also had multi-hit performances.
The Titans showed patience and discipline, drawing six walks — two each by Heitzler and Koeyn DeClercq.
Aggressive baserunning helped A/W keep pressure on the Rebels all night, swiping seven total bases. Both Childs and Devon Horrie recorded multiple stolen bags.
For Stark County, Ben Browning provided the bulk of the offense, driving in two runs and going 1-for-4 at the plate. Jason Knowles, Khaiden Turnbull, and Chase Holstrom each contributed a hit as well.
A/W continues to gain momentum as they head into the heart of their season, with strong pitching and consistent offense leading the charge.
