YATES CENTER – The Crest Lancers took no prisoners in a high school baseball doubleheader against Yates Center here last Thursday, sweeping the twinbill by scores of 20-3 and 19-1.
It was the opening home games of the season for the Wildcats, and the results definitely did not match the team’s expectations.
"It was a tough couple games against a good Crest team,” said YCHS head coach Jarrod McVey. “We didn't play up to our full potential, but we will continue to work hard to get better, both at the plate and in the field.”
Yates Center struggled offensively and was able to collect a total of only three hits on the day. Kaiden Rutherford ripped a double for the Wildcats’ only hit in the opening game, while Jacob Meigs and Ethan Ballin produced singles in the nightcap.
The ‘Cats actually forged a 2-2 tie after one inning in the opener. After Crest plated two runs to open the game, Rutherford and Evan McVey both scored to knot the score for YCHS. But Crest tallied five runs in each of the next two frames and added six runs in the fifth inning. Kevin Brown added the final run of the game for the Wildcats.
In the nightcap, Crest built an 11-0 lead until Meigs scored to get YC on the board in the bottom of the fourth. The Lancers responded with an eight-run fifth to ice the game.
The Lancers pounded out 29 hits in the doubleheader. Meanwhile, the Wildcats failed to help themselves in the field, committing nine errors in the first game and six more in the nightcap for a total of 15 miscues.
“We definitely need to cut down on our mistakes,” McVey noted. “We will continue to work hard to get better defensively, and we also have to keep getting better at being aggressive at the plate and on the bases.”
Crest had several hitting stars on the day. Rodriguez scored seven runs and ripped five hits, including a home run. D. Weir pounded six hits and scored six runs, while Kistner and R. Weir laced four hits each and combined for seven runs, while White also had four hits and crossed home seven times by himself. Kistner and R. Weir were the RBI leaders with six apiece.
“We’re going to put this day behind us,” McVey said. “I look forward to getting in some good practices as we prepare for Pleasanton.”
Yates Center, now 2-4 on the year, is scheduled to remain at home for their next two doubleheaders. The Wildcats are slated to host Pleasanton on Thursday, April 4, and then entertain St. Paul on Monday, April 8. First pitch for both dates is slated for 4:30 p.m