Good practices help Wolverines rock the Raiders
MABEN – East Webster head baseball coach Jordan Smith was not surprised to see his team play well and get a dominating win over a conference champion on Saturday. Practice has set up success lately for the Wolverines. With 12 hits on offense, East Webster was able to take an easy 18-3 home victory over the Oak Hill Academy Raiders.
“This has probably been the best week of practice and the best focus these kids have had,” Smith said. “After last week, losing two tough games, we had two options. We could have quit or come together as a team and work hard. These kids locked it in mentally all week and they came closer together. To me, that's a by product of what they are doing. They've worked hard this whole week at practice and it's really good for them to see those good things happen so today was a good day for us.”
It did not start out that way for the Wolverines as the visiting Raiders from West Point jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning.
East Webster responded with four runs in the first to gain the advantage. Hastings Gibson had an RBI double, while Luke Mckee and Jess Roberts each drove in a run with a single and Kendell Carden had an RBI on a sacrifice fly.
The Wolverines exploded offensively in the second inning and took control of the game with 10 runs on six hits. Landon Davis had the big blow with a three-run double, Mckee added a two-run double and Carden drove in two runs with a single.
East Webster put Oak Hill away in the third with four runs and Anthony Medine's three-run double ended the game by a run rule.
Mckee, who had a double and two singles, can see how the recent work has helped the Wolverines.
“We are doing our best in practice and everyone is giving 100%,” Mckee said. “We are staying focused in practice and that's contributing a lot.”
Gibson had two doubles for East Webster and Medine had a double and single for the other multiple hitter.
John Preston Springer and Chandler Hodges did the pitching for the Wolverines.
One day after clinching the MAIS Class 4A, Division 2 championship, Oak Hill had its troubles against East Webster.
Smith said the Raiders are a worthy opponent and are not to be taken lightly.
“They are a good team and we played well today,” Smith said. “We hit he ball one through nine and made the plays behind it. I couldn't be happier for these guys especially coming into next week with two big division games.”
The Wolverines (13-9) play Calhoun City on Tuesday and Friday next week.