North Mahaska took advantage of 13 walks, a hit batsman and an error combined with a one-hit pitching effort from Dodge Duke and Jaydyn Steil to roll past Twin Cedars 14-4. It was the season opener for North Mahaska and the second game for Twin Cedars.
Twin Cedars coach Mark Schroeder was left shaking his head as his team has now walked 28 batters in the first two games.
The teams worked through intermittent rain sprinkles but never had the game delayed nor did it seem to interfere with play. North Mahaska had a commanding 9-0 lead after four innings of play. Duke earned the win going four innings and allowing no hits. However, He walked the first three batters in the top of the fifth before giving way to Steil. After TC scored on a wild pitch, Steil hit a batter then walked another run in and then allowed the Sabers’ only hit by Reed McElroy. TC closed the gap to 9-4.
In the bottom of the fifth Nate Sampson walked then came home on Sam Terpstra’s triple. Another walk set up Steil’s one-out double that brought in two more runs. Jack Kelderman walked, Jayden Stout singled and Drake Hall walked to load the bases. Lucas Nunnikhoven took a walk to score Kelderman and end the game.
Terpstra hit a double and triple to drive in three runs and Duke hit a single and triple with an RBI. Stout also had two hits with two RBI. Duke struck out five in the win.
North Mahaska returns to action Monday when they host HLV at 6 p.m.