After five errors and 10 runners left on base, the Trenton High School baseball team was anxious to put an 8-4 Mid-Buch Tournament semifinal loss to Northeast Nodaway on Saturday firmly in the rearview mirror.
North Andrew, Trenton’s opponent in the third-place game, provided a perfect escape from the previous dismay.
The Bulldogs muscled up at the plate, pounding out 14 runs on 10 hits, and bludgeoned the Cardinals to the tune of a 14-2 victory.
Trenton’s third-place win came almost directly as a result of the third inning alone. The Bulldogs, leading 3-0 entering the frame, plated 10 runs to essentially put the game out of reach.
“We hit a lot of baseballs really hard in that inning,” Trenton Head Coach Andy Hight said. “We took the walks when they were there and then when (North Andrew) made mistakes over the plate we put the ball in play. We kind of put the game away right there with just a lot of really good at bats.”
Trenton’s offensive explosion saw contributions up and down the lineup with eight different players driving in runs. Sam Schilling had a team-high three RBIs in the win, going two-for-three at the plate and scoring once. Cade Darting was one-for-two with two RBIs and two runs scored. Hunter Dugan and Drew Rorebeck each doubled in the game and both had one RBI. Avery Cooksey, Colton Colston, Spencer Harris and Jaren Whitney all had an RBI in the win as well.
On the hill, Rorebeck fired the first complete game in school history, albeit a five-inning effort. He allowed two runs on two hits and three walks while striking out 11 in the victory – his first of the season.
The third-place game was a stark contrast to the semifinal match-up prior. Trenton was flawless in the field against North Andrew, but committed five errors in its first game of the day. Northeast Nodaway was able to take advantage, scoring four unearned runs.
Trenton couldn’t get the big hit when it needed it either. The Bulldogs loaded the bases in both the fifth and sixth innings and got hard hits but both resulted in line-outs to end the threat.
Harris led Trenton in the opening game, going three-for-four with two RBIs, a run scored and three stolen bases.
On the hill, Harris took the loss, allowing six runs, three earned, on five hits and three walks while striking out four in three innings.
UP NEXT
Trenton will face North Andrew again tonight, playing the Cardinals on the road in Savannah. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.