North Mahaska had the game seemingly in hand at Baxter this past Thursday. The Warhawks hit the road for the season opener against the Bolts and led 10-2 entering the bottom of the sixth when the Bolts exploded for nine runs to earn an 11-10 victory.
North Mahaska trailed 2-0 when they pounded out seven runs in the top of the third inning. The Warhawks added a run in the fourth and two in the sixth. Five errors in the contest aided the Bolts’ rally.
Ryan Groom hit a double and drove in two runs and Dane VanMersbergen hit three singles and drove in two to lead North Mahaska. Jack Kelderman and Charlie Goemaat each hit an RBI-single.
North Mahaska (0-1) stole nine bases in the contest with Groom, Kelderman and Nolan Andersen each taking two apiece.
Andersen took the loss for the Warhawks. Kelderman opened the game going four innings. He allowed four runs, three earned on six hits a walk and three strikeouts. Andersen worked the final two allowing seven runs, two earned, on five hits, a walk and two strikeouts.
Perrin Sulzle led the Bolts’ hitting with two singles and two RBIs. Baxter (2-1) used three hurlers who combined for 10 runs, one earned, on seven hits, eight walks, five hit batsmen and a strikeout.
North Mahaska is scheduled to host Montezuma on Monday at 5:30 p.m. then travel to HLV Wednesday. The Warhawks will return home Friday to host Lynnville-Sully. All conference games begin at 5:30 p.m. this season.