Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
In a high school baseball game against county rival Tippecanoe Valley Wednesday afternoon, the Warsaw Tigers used seven pitchers. The Vikings did the majority of their damage with one, as senior southpaw James Hackworth turned in a dominating performance and led his team to a 7-1 victory. Valley, which scored three runs in the first inning, three in the fourth and another in the fifth, improved to 3-2 on the season, while Warsaw fell to 1-3. In five innings of work, the Indiana State-bound Hackworth faced 19 batters, striking out 12 of them. In all, Hackworth gave up two hits, two walks and a run en route to the win. Of his 80 pitches, 57 were strikes. “James is the kind of pitcher that has a commanding presence on the mound,” said first-year Valley coach Ryan Moore. “When he’s on the mound, the team behind him has an added confidence. We’re trying to get them to have that confidence with our other pitchers too.” Junior Clayton Adamson replaced Hackworth on the mound for the sixth and seventh innings. He struck out two and walked three, while not giving up a hit.
Seniors Brady Ousley and Austin Franzen were credited with Warsaw’s only two hits. Both came in the fourth inning, as Ousley ripped a double and Franzen a single, leading to the Tigers’ only run. “We’re struggling as a team right now,” said Warsaw coach Mike Hepler. “We’ve got to get better.” Warsaw committed eight errors in the field, and the Tigers’ seven pitchers combined to issue 10 walks. “Walks and errors are really hurting us,” said Hepler.” The Vikings committed one error in the game, and their two hits were doubles by Hackworth and sophomore Tanner Andrews. Each of Warsaw’s seven pitchers saw an inning of work, something that Hepler said was planned. “We wanted to get some pitchers some work,” said Hepler. “We wanted an opportunity to put some kids in a game situation.” Franzen started the game on the mound for the Tigers. He gave up five walks, three runs and a hit and was charged with the loss. Others to throw for Warsaw included Kyle Gibbs, Forde Ness, Kyle Morris, Garrett Gruenewald, Jason Ferguson and Austin Moore. Valley is in action again Friday at Bremen, while the Tigers open Northern Lakes Conference play Monday by hosting Wawasee. TIPPECANOE VALLEY 7, WARSAW 1 TV 300 310 0 – 7 2 1 W 000 100 0 – 1 2 8 James Hackworth (W, 1-0), Clayton Adamson (5) and Jacob Ritchey; Austin Franzen (L, 0-2), Kyle Gibbs (2), Forde Ness (3), Kyle Morris (4), Garrett Gruenewald (5), Jason Ferguson (6), Austin Moore (7) and Jared Lemler 2B – Hackworth (TV), Tanner Andrews (TV), Brady Ousley (W) Records: T. Valley 3-2, Warsaw 1-3
