SYRACUSE – For five innings, it was a tight Northern Lakes Conference baseball battle between county rivals. The sixth inning, however, proved to be a disaster for one team, while the other took full advantage of the opportunities presented. Leading 5-3 heading to the top of the sixth, Warsaw sent 16 hitters to the plate in the frame. The Tigers collected six hits, drew six walks and an error in scoring 12 runs to roll to a 17-3 win over host Wawasee Wednesday evening. Playing in a light but steady and cold rain with a strong wind blowing out to rightfield made for a game in which every ball hit in the air was an adventure in catching. The wet and cold conditions made it tough for pitchers to maintain any kind of control. “We talked about being tough in a tough-weather situation,” Warsaw head coach Mike Hepler said. “I thank Wawasee for getting the field ready; that was a lot of work for them to do that for us to be able to play today. “It was a tough day for both teams. The wind affected a lot of the balls that were hit. Grips were affected by the rain. It was difficult at times.” After Sterling Hay’s two-run homer helped stake Warsaw to a 4-0 lead in the top of the third, Wawasee answered with a two-run double from Chase Rookstool. The Warrior senior also drove in his team’s third run with a single in the fifth. While the Warriors were hanging in there, the Tigers felt like they were close to putting the game away. “I just felt like we were going to get one and break something open and we did,” Hepler said. “We were fortunate and were able to keep on going and take advantage of a few mistakes. “It was just one of those things that, when you get an inning started, it just takes off. We batted, maybe 15 guys in that sixth inning and that just doesn’t happen very often. It was nice to get that going after a tough loss on Monday (1-0 at Elkhart Memorial).” Bryce Sensibaugh, Marselo Rodriguez, Henry Howard, Braxton Tennant and Collin Marshall had two hits each for the Tigers. Wawasee head coach Brent Doty noted both teams had to deal with the weather, and he is looking to help his youth-filled roster create its own breaks. “It was tough conditions to play in today, but both teams were out there battling,” he said. “Our guys are working hard; we just have to keep improving. We’ll get back to it tomorrow at practice. I’ve got to do a better job at getting those guys ready. “Inexperience really isn’t an excuse; we’re halfway through the year. That’s my job, making sure those guys are ready to play.” Warsaw moved to 8-6 on the year, and 6-2 in the NLC. The Tigers will host Goshen Friday night. Wawasee (4-12-1, 1-7 NLC) will host Memorial Friday.
