***Kendall Vincent is a participant of The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program, funded by the Harry Anderson Memorial Trust.

The A/W varsity Titans put together a powerful doubleheader performance against the Galva Wildcats on Saturday, claiming both wins with standout efforts from Koeyn DeClercq and Maddux Heitzler.

In the first matchup, DeClercq commanded the mound, striking out 12 batters over 5 1/3 innings while allowing just four hits and three runs. His strong outing led the Titans to a 7-3 win. 

The offense backed him up with key contributions from Zeb Rashid, who went 3-for-3 with a double and two singles, and Brody Childs, who doubled to drive in a run during a two-run third inning.

The Titans showed patience at the plate, drawing eight walks, with Nic Thurston collecting three of them. Blake Stahl added an RBI, and the defense turned two double plays in the win.

In the second game, Heitzler exploded offensively, driving in four runs on four hits to power A/W to a commanding 20-2 victory. Heitzler hit a double in the first to bring in a run, then followed with a single and a two-run triple in the third. 

The Titans scored 11 runs in the first inning alone, with offensive contributions across the lineup. Rashid hit a sacrifice fly and later crushed a three-run homer to center. Other big hits came from Nic Thurston, Jaxson Dunn, DeClercq, and Kellan Keane.

The third inning brought more firepower, as the Titans piled on nine more runs on nine hits. Rashid, Heitzler, Thurston, Keane, Aaden Verstraete and Myer Heitzler all drove in runs, showcasing the team’s depth at the plate.

Rashid also earned the win on the mound, striking out eight while allowing just one hit and two runs in three innings. The Titans totaled 17 hits, with Rashid and Heitzler each collecting four RBIs. Keane, Thurston, and Childs all had multi-hit games.

Defensively, A/W was flawless in the field, with Thurston leading with eight chances.

For Galva, Braxton Hulstrom had an RBI and Ty Dowell-Keup went 1-for-2 at the plate.

A/W Varsity Titans will look to carry their momentum forward as they continue their season.