SEDALIA, MO – The Warrior era of baseball got off to a successful start yesterday as Indian Hills took a pair of contests from State Fair at Liberty Park Stadium's Dey Field, 6-5 and 24-2.
The nickname may be different, but the results were still victories as the tradition of winning baseball from the Centerville program continued in IHCC's season-opening doubleheader with a nail biter, and a blow out that both ended up in the win column.
"Obviously we're pleased to get a pair of wins to start the year," said third-year head coach Matt Torrez. "Game one was nice to see our guys battle back after letting them back in it, and game two was one that just had everything going our way."
The opener saw the Warriors get on top right away as Pier-Oliver Boucher knocked in Sam Fortier, who had reached after being plunked at the plate to put IHCC up 1-0. Indian Hills tacked on three more in the second frame with the big blow coming from Ren Tachioka as the Warriors' No. 9-hitter drilled a two-run homerun to right to put the visitors up 4-0.
"We were able to create some offense early, which we love to see," Torrez said. "That allowed Nick Marshall to shake off some rust and settle in."
Torrez gave the game one pitching assignment to Marshall, and the Wisconsin native didn't disappoint as he shut down the Roadrunners through five frames. The sophomore righty got into trouble in the bottom of the sixth however as he issued a walk to open the inning and State Fair followed with a double and a single and suddenly, the lead was cut to 4-2. Torrez called on Maddux Hoaglund out of the pen, but the Warriors' fortunes didn't improve as SFCC plated two more to tie it up before Arturo Rodrigues came on with two outs to put out the fire with a strikeout.
"That sixth inning got away from us, but Arturo got it shut down with it still being tied," Torrez added. "It was nice to see our offense respond in the seventh."
That seventh inning saw sophomore Dave Janssen reach after being hit by a pitch and Billy Rivera came through with a triple to hand IHCC the lead back at 5-4. The Warriors added an insurance run when Tachioka knocked in Rivera with a sacrifice fly to center to make it 6-4 heading to the bottom of the seventh.
As it turned out, Torrez's troops would need that extra run as Rodriguez gave up a single before getting the first out, but then the Roadrunners had back-to-back singles to draw SFCC to within a run at 6-5. Rodriquez coaxed a foul out for the second out, but then he hit the next batter to load the bags. A fly out to Tachioka in right ended the suspense and handed the Warriors their first win of the season.
IHCC found a way to win despite being outhit 11-6. Tachioka led the team with the second inning homer and three RBI. Rivera was also 1-for-3 with the crucial triple in the seventh, and two RBI. Boucher, Janssen, Richardo Van Grieken and Justin L'Archeveque each added hits to the Warrior total.
Marshall ended up giving up six hits, three runs, all earned on seven strikeouts and one walk in his 5 1/3 innings. Rodriguez picked up the win in his 1 1/3 innings of relief, allowing one run on three hits and two strikeouts.
The nightcap lasted just five frames as the Warriors scored in every inning including a 13-run outburst in the second frame to turn it into a laugher.
"That second inning was something I've not seen much of ever," Torrez said of his team's offensive explosion. "Everything we hit found a hole, or was just out of reach for them."
Noel Perez singled in Boucher in the opening inning of game two to give the Warriors another quick lead at 1-0, but the damn broke for the Roadrunners in the second as Indian Hills would bat around the order twice to build the lead to 14-0 heading to the bottom of the second.
IHCC sophomore Wyatt Wendell returned to the mound for the first time since an outstanding freshman campaign in 2019, and the right-hander pitched three innings to get the win. Wendell struck out three and walked two.
"It took a little time for Wyatt to settle in, but he made the pitches we needed him to," Torrez added. "It was great to see him out there putting up zeros again."
Jurgen Switzer came on with the game in hand in the fourth frame and allowed State Fair's only two runs of the contest. Switzer didn't allow a hit, but control issues led to four walks.
"We wanted to get Jurgen out there to get some work because it's his first outing since Tommy John surgery," Torrez said.
Andrew Beissner finished the last 1 1/3 innings on the hill for IHCC, and shut the door allowing just one hit and striking out one.
The Warrior offense was led by four different players with three hits apiece. Fortier went 3-for-4 with double and five RBI while PBoucher was 3-for-4 with a triple and five RBI. Tachioka was 3-for-4 with four RBI, and Perez was 3-for-4 with a double and three RBI.
IHCC is back in action this afternoon with another doubleheader with State Fair (5-3)
GAME ONE
Indian Hills 130 000 2 – 6 6 0
State Fair 000 004 2 – 5 11 1
WP: Arturo Rodriguez (1-0). LP – Peyton Seiz
(2B – L'Acheveque, 3B – Rivera, HR – Tachioka, SB- Fortier, Boucher, Janssen)
GAME TWO
Indian Hills 1(13)3 25 – 24 17 0
State Fair 0 0 0 20 – 2 3 3
WP: Wyatt Wendell (1-0). LP – Connor Barnes
(2B – Perez, Fortier, Janssen, 3B – Boucher, SAC – Fortier)