There was a baseball showdown between two Eagle mascots last Wednesday night in Eagle Grove with the visitors from West Hancock in town. The away team managed to get on the scoreboard first, but EGHS had the last laugh and improved to 2-2 on the season.
West Hancock’s Zach Beukema jacked a homer to left field to put the visitors up early in the top of the 1st, but Eagle Grove immediately retook the lead. Leadoff hitter Mack Morgan blasted a single to right field and stole his way to third. Syrus Willard brought Morgan home with a single and a wild pitch gave EGHS a 2-1 1st inning advantage.
Starting pitcher Nolan Krauss had three of his eight strikeouts in the 2nd to retire the side and bring the hometown batters back to the plate. Willard smashed an RBI double to left-center field and Krauss pushed the lead to 5-1 with a two-run single.
In the following inning, catcher Jake Jeske had a spectacular defensive play and throwout after a West Hancock bunt. On offense, Willard drove another double to the same part of the outfield and Jeske hit him home to extend the lead to 8-1.
Eagle Grove won the contest 16-1 in five innings of play. Center fielder Syrus Willard had three hits and six stolen bases. Leelan Spencer added two hits and a stolen base. Drake Canavan hit a double, and Jake Jeske finished with two hits and three RBI’s. Krauss allowed just two hits in four innings of work.
