***Kyra Galbraith is a participant of The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program, funded by the Harry Anderson Memorial Trust.
On Thursday, the Red Storm of United traveled to Annawan to face both the junior varsity and varsity Titans.
The JV took down the Red Storm, 14-4, and the varsity fell 12-2.
For the varsity game, the Red Storm got on the board in the first inning after Nolan Jenks grounded out, scoring one run.
The Titans captured the lead, 2-1, in the bottom of the first after Myer Heitzler doubled to center field, and Nathan Harker grounded into a fielder’s choice, each scoring one run.
Ian Leffler doubled down the left field line, which helped the Red Storm tie the game at two in the top of the third.
The Red Storm jumped back into the lead in the top of the fourth inning after three hits, all scoring one run.
Pitcher Aaden Verstraete of Annawan went three and two-thirds innings, giving up five runs on five hits, striking out one and walking five.
Pitcher Collin Leary of United allowed five hits and two runs over seven innings, striking out nine and walking one.
Maddux Heitzler and Myer Heitzler each collected two hits for the Titans. Nathan Harker and Myer Heitzler each drove in one run for the Titans. The Titans turned one double play in the game.
The final score of the varsity game was a 12-2 loss.
In the opposite case, the junior varsity took an outstanding win with a score of 14-4.
Cole Dynes drove in four runs on one hit to lead the Titans past the Red Storm. Dynes doubled in the fifth inning, scoring three runs, and walked in the third inning, scoring one.
The Titans got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Jaton Huber singled to right field, Cainen Winter walked, Victor Skaggs walked, Mason Mallery walked, and Carter Brown singled to center field, each scoring one run.
A ground out by Dynes, a single by London Sain, and a single by Skaggs helped the Titans extend their early lead in the second.
By the third inning, the score was a 10-0 lead by the Titans. The Titans added one run in the third. Dynes walked, making the score 10-0.
Dynes stepped on the hill first for the Titans. The hurler surrendered three hits and four runs over four innings, striking out six and walking five.
As the game concluded, the Titans were victorious with a final score of 14-4.
Overall, the team had patience at the plate, amassing 10 walks for the game. Isaiah Cornish and Jace Nichols each stole multiple bases for the Titans.
