In a crazy high school baseball game last week French Camp committed five errors and the pitchers gave up nine walks resulting in 19 runs for Sebastopol. But, French Camp still won the game by the football-like score of 20-19.
That was one of three French Camp victories last week, improving the Panthers' record to 4-0.
“It's kind of uncustomary for us,” coach Nathan Wright said of the fast start. “Usually, we kind of start behind the eight ball, then kind of catch up. Usually right before spring break we kind of figure it out.”
French Camp also defeated Sebastopol by a more conventional 3-2 score and Winona 11-2. Coupled with an opening 17-5 victory over Winona Christian, the Panthers have scored 51 runs in 25 innings.
“We have been swinging it really well, much better than we typically do,” Wright said, adding that the Panthers have been getting production throughout the lineup.
The 20-19 game was a see-saw battle, with four lead changes. French Camp jumped out to a 7-1 lead with two runs in the first and five in the second, only to see Sebastopol score eight runs in the third. French Camp responded with seven in the fourth to retake the lead. Sebastopol had five runs rallies in the fifth and sixth for its last lead at 19-18. Two French Camp runs in the bottom of the sixth were decisive.
Seth Box led the French Camp offense with two homers, five RBIs and five runs scored. He had plenty of help. Macon Bentley singled and homered with four RBIs and Cody Perry went four for four and drove home three runs.
Wright said he had never before been part of a game when both teams scored that many runs.
“Somehow at 20-19 it was just a three-hour game. I've been part of four-hour ones.”
Adam Atkins was the story in the 3-2 win over Sebastopol. He went the distance allowing five hits and one earned run, with 11 strikeouts. He also had a double and two RBIs.
French Camp trailed Winona 2-1 until taking the lead with three runs in the fourth, then blew the game open with a six-run rally in the fifth. Holt Barlow had three hits for the Panthers, Rob Surrette and Bradley Edwards two each. Surrette and Atkins both had two RBIs and Atkins scored three times.
Jarren Holmes pitch four shutout innings with five strikeouts.
Pitching depth will be tested with four games in three days, leading up to spring break. The Panthers play at East Webster Thursday, have a home game with Eupora Friday and go to Winona for a doubleheader Saturday.
GC Eagles split pair on diamond
Grace Christian split two baseball games last week with a 16-2 victory over Laurel Home School and a 19-2 loss to Winona Christian.
Wes Agnew and Gideon White led the Eagles in the win over Laurel Home School. Agnew had a single, double and triple, with two RBIs, and pitched two hitless innings with five strikeouts. White had four hits and drove in two runs.
Grayson Skelton had two hits and two RBIs and Miles Brownlee two hits and drove in one run.
Grace Christian trailed Winona Christian 3-2 after one inning, but after that it was all Winona Christian. White had the Eagles' only hit.
“They (Winona Christian) were a skillful team who made adjustments well,” said Grace Christian coach Charlie Agnew.
The Eagles were scheduled to play Hebron Christian and Columbus Christian Monday and Tuesday, weather permitting, and will get another shot at Winona Christian in a road game Thursday.
