Warriors Hang Tough In NLC Loss To NorthWoodSYRACUSE — Wawasee rallied late. But the gritty effort fell short as the Warriors lost 2-1 to visiting NorthWood in Northern Lakes Conference high school baseball Friday.
Wawasee (5-3, 1-2 NLC) loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning before falling to the Panthers (6-2, 3-0 NLC) in a game played in 1 hour, 50 minutes and wind-chill temperatures in the 30’s.
Wet conditions at NorthWood caused the game to be moved to Warrior Field.
“The outcome’s tough — 2 to 1 — but that’s a good baseball game,” said Warriors coach Brent Doty. “Credit NorthWood. They’re a good team. They’ve been solid for a long time.
“They got a big hit with two outs and it eluded us.”
After seeing left-hander Cooper Davis for six innings, Wawasee faced right-hander Jason Cripe in the seventh. Parker Young drew a lead-off walk. Courtesy runner Ethan Garcia stole second base.
After two strikeouts, Carter Woody was hit by a pitch and Logan Adkins collected a slow-infield single to fill the sacks before Cripe got the final out on a fielder’s choice.
The Warriors had a runner at third base when the fifth inning ended and the score tied 1-1.
Woody rapped a one-out single to center. Courtesy runner Garcia stole second base and went to third base on Logan Adkins’ groundout.
“We have some decent team speed and utilize that when guys get on early,” said Doty.
Pinch hitter Austin Baker hit the ball on the nose only to have NorthWood second baseman Jack Wysong snag it for the third out.
The Panthers broke the tie with a two-out single to left field by Matt Dutkowski against right-hander Woody in the top of the sixth.
No. 9 hitter Josh Stafford was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame. Kyle Hauptli’s sacrifice bunt and Sergio Lira Ayala groundout to the right side sent Stafford around to third base.
Stafford scored when No. 3 hitter Dutkowski stroked a 2-1 pitch the opposite way.
“Matt Dutkowski has been very consistent for us at the plate with great approaches,” said Panthers coach A.J. Risedorph. “He’s seeing the ball very well. More importantly, guys are able to get on base in front of him in order for him to drive them in.”
Both teams scored one run in the first inning.
Hauptli opened the game with a double to right, advanced to third base on Lira Ayala’s groundout to the right side and scored on Jaden Miller’s fielder’s choice.
Wawasee pulled even in the bottom of the first as lead-off man Gage Moore reached base on an infield single, moved to third base on Kameron Salazar’s one-out double to center and trotted home on Young’s sacrifice fly to right.
Winning pitcher Davis threw 80 pitches (57 for strikes) and allowed three runs while striking out six and walking none. Cripe threw half of his 20 tosses for strikes in picking up the save.
Woody gave up three hits with seven strikeouts and one walk for the Warriors. Of his 94 pitches, 65 went for strikes.
“He had a good mix and was finding the (strike) zone often,” said Doty of Woody. “He pitched a phenomenal game. He keeps us in games.”
The Warriors’ next game is scheduled for Monday at home against Northridge.
