IHCC, MCC Split Conference DH

Nowicki

Centerville, Iowa -- After rolling to a victory in the first game, Indian Hills saw Marshalltown come back with a strong pitching effort in the nightcap as the two teams divided a Saturday doubleheader at Pat Daugherty Field.  The first-game final was 9-2, the second was 5-2.

The Falcons spotted the Tigers a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning of the opener on a Ryan Carter two-run homer.  Cooper Huckabone got one of the runs back for IHCC with a run-scoring single in the second.  They took the lead for good in the 4th on a Huckabone sac fly and a passed ball that scored Soren Graverson.  Indian Hills broke the game open with six runs in the 5th, a burst that ended with a three-run homer by Graverson.  Wyatt Wendell went the distance on the mound for IHCC and was sharp after the initial inning.  "Wyatt did a nice job of settling in after the homer," said IHCC coach Matthew Torrez.  "Our offense responded in the following half-inning and then exploded in the middle innings.  It was a well-played game overall."

The Falcons weren't as sharp in game two, Marshalltown's David Davila not permitting a hit through the first five innings.  Candido Encarnacion's solo homer got MCC started and they added three runs in the 3rd and one in the 5th.  IHCC was kept off the board until Graverson went deep to lead off the 6th.  Indian Hills eventually loaded the bases with no outs in that inning, but scored only once on a Jake Kristensen single.  Starter Luis Rivera took the loss for IHCC.  "We struggled to throw multiple pitches for strikes," said Torrez, "and that hurt us.  Our energy level was low and we need to be ready to get back after it when the series resumes."

The two teams will play another doubleheader, this one at Marshalltown on Monday.