Holden Eagles Baseball Report
Signature Win… Eagle freshman pitcher Wes Brown recorded the first win of his high school career in the Holden baseball team’s 3-1 victory over Oak Grove on Wednesday, May 3. In the start on the mound, Brown recorded three strikeouts while allowing one run, three hits, and two walks in three innings before being relieved. Photo by Steve Edwards
Holden 3 Oak Grove 1
Two runs scored by the Eagles in the top of the first inning proved to be enough offense as the Holden baseball team picked up a non-conference road win over Oak Grove by the final score of 3-1 on Wednesday, May 3.
Three Holden pitchers shared time on the mound with freshman starter Wes Brown earning credit for the win.
“Our three pitchers threw very well, and our defense was flawless,” said Holden baseball coach Charlie Castle. “Freshman Wes Brown earned his first win of his high school career with three solid innings, giving up one earned run on three hits with a couple of walks, and three strikeouts. Both Lane Siemer and Garrett Smith followed up with two very good innings to earn a hold, and a save, respectively.”
Siemer allowed one hit with two strikeouts in his two innings. In the final two innings for the save credit, Smith also one hit allowed with two strikeouts.
“Offensively, we wasted some chances, but did get on the board early. I feel like any time we do that, we greatly increase our chances of winning because our pitching is so good,” said coach Castle.
Holden’s early lead was built after Kale Tryon walked, and was moved around the base paths to home plate by singles from Smith and Aiden Morarity. Freshman Cohen Drake recorded the second RBI of the inning.
“We didn’t score again until the sixth when Tyler Barker walked, and then was pinch run for by Vance Davis, who moved up on a wild pitch and over to third on a bunt single by Justin Brown,” said coach Castle. “Davis then scored on a wild pitch. Everyone who played contributed in some way, so it was a high-quality win against a solid 4A team.”
Eagles Sweep
Conference Doubleheader At Carrollton
The Holden baseball team swept a two-game set on the road against MRVC-East foe Carrollton to close out conference play on Thursday, May 4.
In game one, the Eagles plated five runs in the first inning, four in the second, and eight in the third to shut down the home team by the run-rule after three innings in a final score of 17-1.
“We scored early and often in three innings,” said coach Castle. “Garrett Smith went three-for-three with a homer, four RBIs, and three runs scored. Kale Tryon and Carson Gard each had two hits in our 15-hit attack.
“Lane Siemer was the winning pitcher. He allowed one earned run on four hits with no walks, and four strikeouts.”
The second contest lasted four innings with Holden taking the 16-1 run-rule victory.
“Carson Gard and Aiden Morarity each hit three-run homers in the win,” reported coach Castle. “Cohen Drake started in his first high school game, and picked up his second win of the season by going two innings, and allowing just one run. Morarity and Lane Inglis each followed with a scoreless inning apiece.”
With the two wins over Carrollton, the Holden baseball team ends the MRVC-East season with a record of 7-3.
Holden Splits In Two Games At Boonville
Playing against host team Boonville, and against Eugene on the same field, the Eagles fell to Boonville by the final score of 4-3 before defeating Eugene in game two by the final score of 13-3 on Saturday, May 6.
With the scored tied 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning against Boonville, the Pirates plundered the win by plating a run in the bottom of the final frame.
“It was nothing we did wrong,” said coach Castle. “They did everything right. We played really well. As a team, we only struck out three times against their starter who wasn’t overpowering, just threw strikes, and they had a very good defense.
“Freshman Cohen Drake led us with two of our five hits,” noted coach Castle. “He continues to get better each game, and has the highest batting average on the team at .420. Aiden Morarity had an RBI single. Kale Tryon and Lane Siemer also hit safely.
“Garrett Smith pitched very well, despite taking his first loss in seven decisions this year,” added coach Castle.
Versus Eugene, the Eagles scored two runs in the first inning, and added four runs in the second, a run in the fourth, and six runs in the fifth to end the game by the run rule with the score at 13-3.
“Aiden Morarity threw a complete game, giving up just one earned run,” said coach Castle. “He was dominant for the most part. He gave up four hits with eight strikeouts, and three walks. Aiden also belted a two-run homer…a shot over the left-center fence.
“Our whole team had a good game hitting. Getting two hits each were Carson Gard, Tyler Barker, and Garrett Smith.
“After an early slump, Carson has raised his average .120 points in the last seven games to go above .300, while supplying some power, and is also doing a very solid job catching,” cited coach Castle.
After the win over Eugene, the Holden baseball team held an overall record of 16-8.
The Holden baseball team closes out the regular season this Thursday, May 11, with a road game at Cole Camp. The varsity game is set for 4:30 p.m. with a JV contest to follow.
District Tourney Note… The Holden baseball team is the number-two seed in the Class 3, District 14 Baseball Tournament to be held at Barstow High School. Holden is scheduled to play St. Michael the Archangel (3-seed) in the semifinals on Saturday, May 13, at 11 a.m. Also in semifinal action on May 13, Barstow, as the number-one seed, will play the winner of the play-in game between number-five seed Cristo Rey, and number-four seed Lone Jack. The winners of the two seminals games will face off in the championship game on Monday, May 15 at 4 p.m.
