The Norwood Pirates baseball team put themselves at the top of the conference standings last week as they opened their season with impressive wins against both Hartville and Mansfield.
Against an Eagles team that has established itself atop the conference for many years, the Pirates used a big six-run second inning to help set the tone in their home contest.
Hartville responded with four runs in their next at-bat. Fortunately for the Pirates, they added an insurance run in both the fourth and fifth innings to seal an 8-6 victory.
Toby Cottengim tossed two and a third innings and allowed just four earned runs to open for the Pirates. Jacob Sinning then tossed the final four and two thirds and allowed just one earned run with five strikeouts.
Offensively, both Jalen Drake and Garrett Davault had two hits, one RBI and one run scored. Dylan Calhoun and Sinning each had one RBI and one run scored. Meanwhile, Zack Black, Dillon Bennett, Gavin McGraw and Brayden Wehrer each scored one run.
The Eagles’ offense was led by Brody McNiel, who had a two-run home run. Hunter Lowery had one RBI and one run scored, Rory Kirkpatrick added one RBI and Eric Wilson scored two runs. Braden Branstetter and Kolton Cogdill each scored one run.
In relief, Branstetter tossed four and a third innings and allowed just one earned run with seven strikeouts.
“I was very happy with the way our boys competed,” said Norwood head coach Drew Miller. “Toby Cottengim and Jacob Sinning both competed and threw a heck of a game for us. Our offense stepped up and put pressure on their defense by putting balls in play. We really worked hard in preparation and our hard work is starting to pay off. Very proud of our boys and the way they competed.”
In their first game of the season against Mansfield, the Pirates scored two runs in their first at-bat and held on late for a 2-1 victory.
Calhoun had a two out, two-RBI single in the first inning to do the damage. Drake added two hits in the win while both Davault and Black scored one run.
Davault picked up the win on the mound after tossing seven innings and allowing one earned run on six hits with nine strikeouts.
Mansfield’s Chade Noble had two hits, Dylan Henry had one RBI and Kile Gray scored the lone run.
In five innings of relief, Noble struck out 11 batters and allowed no earned runs on just one hit. Brayden Barnett allowed two earned runs over two innings with one strikeout.
“I was very pleased with the way our guys started…,” Miller said. “Garrett Davault pitched a great game with going seven innings and allowing one run. Our offense struggled in the middle of the game, but our defense made up for it without making an error. It’s always good to go and compete with Mansfield.”
Beating Galena
The Pirates trailed Galena at home, 3-2, in their home contest Friday, Sep. 11 before a four-run fourth inning helped them to a 7-4 win.
Sining had two hits and three RBIs while both Drake and Black had one RBI and one run scored.
Davault tossed four innings in relief and allowed no earned runs and three hits. He struck out three. Josh Bradshaw started the game and allowed three earned runs on three hits with four strikeouts.
Norwood’s defense did make three errors in the victory.
