***Kyra Galbraith is a participant of The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program, funded by the Harry Anderson Memorial Trust.
The Annawan-Wethersfield Titans baseball teams got a win and a loss against ROWVA at Howes Park in Annawan last week.
The Titans junior varsity had an outstanding night, taking the win 11-7, while the varsity had an undoubtedly less impressive night, falling to the Cougars 3-13.
The varsity lost thanks in part to seven ROWVA runs in the fourth inning.
The Cougars got on the board in the first inning when Brody Lytle grounded out, scoring one run.
The Titans captured the lead, 3-1, in the bottom of the third when Maddux Heitzler tripled, scoring two runs, and Nic Thurston singled, scoring one run.
The Cougars flipped the game on its head in the top of the fourth, scoring seven runs on four hits to take the lead, 8-3. The biggest blow in the inning was a single by Keagan Gerlach that drove in two.
The Cougars scored five runs on two hits in the top of the fifth: Nick Little drew a walk, scoring one run, Drake DeJaynes drew a walk, scoring one run, Austin Owens singled, scoring two runs, and one run scored on another play.
The Cougars’ pitcher, Connor Buck, surrendered four hits and three runs over five innings, striking out two and walking two. The Titans pitcher, Nathan Harker, went three and one-third innings, giving up six runs (two earned) on three hits, striking out three and walking four.
Heitzler led the Titans with two hits in three at bats from the leadoff position.
On the flip side, the junior varsity Titans defeated the Cougars.
The Titans got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after London Sain walked, and the Cougars committed an error, each scoring one run.
The Titans scored six runs on one hit in the bottom of the second inning. An error scored one run, Isaiah Cornish was struck by a pitch, driving in a run, Sain drew a walk, scoring one run; Cainen Winter, Victor Skaggs and Scott Vandesampel each walked with the bases loaded and Scott Vandesampel was struck by a pitch, driving in a run.
Cole Dynes led things off on the hill for the Titans. He surrendered four hits and three runs over four and two-thirds innings, striking out seven and walking four.
Sain drove the middle of the lineup, leading the Titans with two runs batted in. Cornish and Jace Nichols each collected two hits for the Titans. The Titans had patience at the plate, tallying 13 walks for the game. Scott Vandesampel, Carter Brown, Sain, Winter, and Skaggs led the team with two free passes each.
The Titans held their guard strong, and did not allow the Cougars to surpass their early lead.
The Titans will travel to Rockridge for their next game on Tuesday.
