Josh Witt's second game against Plymouth went much differently than his first.
The Warsaw Tigers' senior pitcher got a 10-0 win over Plymouth (12-7, 5-4 Northern Lakes Conference) on April 23 at Bill Nixon Field, but didn't have the same magic Monday in Warsaw (9-8, 5-4 NLC), losing 4-2.In his previous win over Plymouth, Witt went seven innings, not allowing a run. However, in his latest matchup, he did strike out nine, but also allowed 12 hits and four runs, three earned, in five innings of work.
"I think having seen him before really helped (Plymouth)," Warsaw coach Mike Hepler said. "They swung the bats nicely."
Plymouth posted a total of 13 hits, getting one off of Warsaw sophomore reliever Austin Moore in the final two innings.
"Maybe familiarity was a part of it," Plymouth coach Tony Plothow said. "Particularly today, in our second time through the lineup, the guys came with a different approach. They were looking more to make contact."
Most of that contact came in the fourth when Plymouth got three runs on three hits, highlighted by a two-run double by junior Kyle Cartwright.
In the bottom of the frame, Warsaw had junior Darin Lursen at third and senior Stephen Straits at second with no outs, but Plymouth junior pitcher Damon Howe worked out of it with two strikeouts and a pop up.
"We're not getting the hit when we need it," Hepler said. "We had wasted opportunities and they came back to haunt us."
Overall, Warsaw left 11 runners on base, seven of which were stranded in scoring position.
The loss was Warsaw's first in three games, but does add to a troubling trend, which has seen Warsaw lose seven of its last 10 games.
After getting the NLC season started at 4-0, the Tigers have gone 1-4 in their last five conference contests.
"It's just one of those weird things," Hepler said. "We have a lot of talent here."
Along with playing a conference game against a rival, Monday's contest was also special because it benefited a 10-year-old student at Eisenhower Elementary.
Austin McCleary, a fourth grade student, suffers from neuroblastoma, a cancer that develops in the nerve tissue. To help the McCleary family, the Warsaw baseball team held its second annual Striking Out 'K'ancer event, with money raised going to help with hospital bills.
To help raise money, the team took donations and also donated $1 for each single, $2 for doubles, $3 for triples, $4 for home runs and $5 for each strike out posted by a Tiger.
On the field, Warsaw helped raise $65 with 11 strike outs, eight singles and a double.
"The Baseball Coaches Association tries to push for events like this," Hepler said. "We're trying to raise money and awareness, as well as giving help to a family that is in need of it. It really keeps things in perspective as coaches and players. It shows them just how fortunate they are to be able to play this game."
On the field, Warsaw junior Aaron Christenberry and senior James Miglin each went 3 for 4 at the plate.
Warsaw is scheduled to be back on the field today, hosting Goshen at 5 p.m.
