Indee baseball team splits with E-S, O-F

The Independence/Gilmanton baseball team managed just one run in two games last week, but that was enough to earn a split.

The Indees kept the offenses of both Eleva-Strum and Osseo-Fairchild in check last week, but their bats were quiet. I/G fell, 3-0, to E-S last week Tuesday before besting O-F, 1-0, on Friday.

I/G began this week with a 1-2 record before playing at home against Whitehall on Monday and Elmwood/Plum City on Tuesday. I/G welcomes Melrose-Mindoro on Thursday and will play at Alma Center Lincoln next Tuesday. 

Eleva-Strum 3 I/G 0

While I/G had more than twice as many hits E-S, the Indees couldn’t push any runs across. 

I/G had seven hits in the game, compared to three by E-S, but the defending state champions were able to take advantage of mistakes. The first E-S run scored on a double in the top of the first inning. They added two runs on one hit and two errors in the seventh.

The Indees had opportunities in the game. The team loaded the bases in the bottom of the first, but couldn’t bring a run home. I/G had two on with no outs in the third but exited the inning with nothing to show for it. 

Payton Hovey and Nolan Schank both had two hits for I/G, though the team struggled to make contact with 11 strikeouts. 

Hovey took the loss, despite not allowing an earned run. He struck out three while allowing four walks and two hits. Ricky Lopez pitched the final two innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one. Neither of the runs Lopez allowed were earned. 

I/G 1 Osseo-Fairchild 0

Chase Back and Eric Lopez combined to hold the Thunder to three hits in the shutout win.

The only run in the game came in the top of the sixth when Eric Lopez singled to lead off the inning and came home when Nolan Schank hit into an error with two outs. 

Lopez retired the Thunder in order in the sixth. A single and a hit batter put O-F in position to tie the game or take the lead in the seventh. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position, but Lopez got a pop-up and a grounder to end the game.

Lopez had two of I/G’s three hits in the game and earned the win. He pitched three innings with four strikeouts, two hits and one walk. 

Back pitched the first four innings, allowing two walks and one hit while striking out one.