By Austin Bishop
Kosciusko High School head baseball coach Jonathan Jones has enjoyed his team's 5-0 start, but he also knows things are about to get serious as the Whippets move into Region 4-4A play.
"There is no doubt that every region team we play will have at least one good pitcher," Jones said. "We are hoping our pitching and defense will keep us in some games and then we can swing the bats a little and win some games."
Kosciusko was set to take on region foes Caledonia on Tuesday and then Houston on Friday.
Kosciusko took a 12-0 win over Ethel on Friday behind strong pitching from Patrick Stewart and Steven Hanson, then held off a late charge by Carthage on Saturday to beat the Tigers 12-8.
"It was a tough game," Jones said of Kosy's win over Ethel. "The (Grant) Moyer kid kept us off balance the first time through the line up. After (Ty) Dean got the big double we were able to settle down and play our game. (Cole) McBride's home run really sealed it."
Patrick Stewart pitched five strong innings, striking out 11 and allowing just two hits for the Whippets, while Dylan Parker and Hanson added to the cause offensively with a hit each.
Kosy banged out 14 hits against Carthage, with Ryan Lawrence and McBride smacking two singles and a double each. Drew Trehern had three singles and two RBIs for the Whippets, while Lawrence drove in three runs and scored three others.
"We hit a lot better today than we have," Jones said of the win over the Tigers. "We have to do a better job defensively as the year progresses."
Cory Sorenson moved his record to 2-0 on the year with three solid innings of work that saw him strike out five and give up just two hits. McBride came in late to close out the game, striking out four and walking none in 2.1 innings of relief.
