As the confidence of Warsaw’s baseball team has gone up, so has the Tigers’ win total. And with Monday’s 7-1 win over visiting Northern Lakes Conference foe Plymouth, the Tigers have won six of their last eight games, improving to 9-7 overall and 7-3 in the NLC. “Our confidence just continues to grow,” said Warsaw coach Mike Hepler, whose team has outscored its last four conference opponents by a combined 32-1. “We’re starting to believe in ourselves, and the kids really understand what their roles are.” Senior pitcher Jason Ferguson and junior designated hitter Caleb Moneyheffer certainly understood their roles Monday, executing them to near-perfection. Ferguson needed just 83 pitches in seven innings of work, as he tossed a three-hitter and struck out seven, while walking just one. Moneyheffer put the Tigers on the board first, belting a two-run homer over the leftfield fence in the second inning and finished the game with three RBIs. “I can’t say enough about Jason Ferguson,” said Hepler. “He did what we needed him to do today. He didn’t get off to a great start, but once he settled in, he took control.” Ferguson, who improved his record to 4-1 on the mound this season, also tossed a three-hitter the previous Monday, as the Tigers hosted and defeated Elkhart Memorial 10-0 in five innings. After the Pilgrims cut Warsaw’s advantage to 2-1 in the third inning, the Tigers responded with two runs in the home half of the frame and then added three more in the fourth. “We had good energy,” said Hepler. “We’re making plays offensively and defensively. Our pitchers are throwing strikes, we’re getting hits, things are coming together.” Seniors Josh Frantz, Shay Hepler and Ferguson, as well as sophomore Tyler LaFollette had two hits each for the Tigers. Ferguson and junior Michael Miller had doubles for Warsaw. For Plymouth, juniors Riley Cartwright and Jacob Frantz and sophomore Elijah Nixon each had a single. Joe Dragani was charged with the loss on the mound. The sophomore worked five innings, giving up 10 hits and seven runs, while striking out three and walking three. The Tigers continue their busy schedule when they host Elkhart Central today at 5 p.m. Warsaw will then play at NorthWood Wednesday, host Tippecanoe Valley Thursday and host Northridge Friday for senior night.
WARSAW 7, PLYMOUTH 1 P 001 000 0 – 1 3 2 W 022 300 X – 7 11 1 Joe Dragani (L, 5 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 3 BB, 3 K), Levi Schuler (1 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 0 K) and Elijah Nixon; Jason Ferguson (W, 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K) and Jared Lemler 2B – Michael Miller (W), Jason Ferguson (W) HR – Calem Moneyheffer (W) Record: Warsaw 9-7 (7-3 NLC) JV – Warsaw 7, Plymouth 2 WP – Jonathan Murphy Record: Warsaw 9-7 (6-4 NLC)
