COLFAX — Two big innings put Colfax-Mingo High’s Tigerhawks over the top Tuesday night. On C-M senior night, the Tigerhawks overpowered the visiting Iowa Christian Academy Blazers 13-1 in a run-ruled five-inning contest.
The Tigerhawks broke open a 1-1 tie with a five-run third inning. They sealed the win with seven runs crossing the plate in the fourth.
Six of the nine seniors on the Colfax-Mingo roster started in the game including pitcher Caleb Anderson, who went the distance on the mound. Anderson limited the Blazers to four hits, walked four batters, hit one batter and struck out two.
“I had a bit of an off day but I just kept throwing strikes to let my defense make the plays behind me,” Anderson said following the game. “Tonight’s key was just making plays and hitting the ball.”
The Tigerhawks racked up nine hits against three Blazer pitchers on the night. Senior center fielder Conner Hainer and senior first baseman Trent Pease each went 2-for-3 with two singles apiece. Hainer drove in three runs and Pease had three stolen bases.
Hainer scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning. He led off with a base hit, stole second base, then went to third on a wild pitch. Pease and senior shortstop Jake Alexander drew back-to-back walks to load the bases.
Austin Yoakum, senior catcher, lifted a sacrifice fly deep enough into left field to drive in Hainer.
Iowa Christian tied the game with a run in the top of the third. It didn’t stay tied for long.
Pease reached on a Blazer error and swiped second base. Alexander’s single to center field allowed Pease to race home from second for the go-ahead run. Yoakum kept things going with a base hit, and Anderson was hit by a pitch.
With the bases loaded, Colin Lourens hit into a fielder’s choice with the throw going home. The throw was off target ,but Alexander was called out for not sliding at home and bowling over the catcher. Yoakum scored on the play.
Tim Blood connected for a two-run single and moved to second on the throw to the plate. After senior third baseman Colton Russell drew a walk, Iowa Christian made a pitching change. Not much changed as Juan Gonzales worked a base-on-balls from the new pitcher and forced in a run.
Hainer cranked out a deep sacrifice fly ball to drive in a run then Russell was tagged out trying to steal third base. When the dust settled, the Tigerhawks led 6-1.
“We did a good job of reading the pitchers tonight and just kept hitting the ball. We got on a roll,” said Hainer. “I was looking to just hit the ball and move runners. We didn’t have any errors tonight. If we play like that every night, we’re can beat any team.”
Pease started the seven-run fourth with a single to center field and stole second base. Alexander walked, and a passed ball allowed the runners to move up to second and third. Anderson’s one-out single plated a run. Lourens knocked in two more runs with a single to left field.
With two gone, Russell drew a walk and Gonzales reached on an error as a run scored. Hainer delivered a two-run single and came all the way home when a high throw to second base went into center field.
Both Anderson and Hainer talked about the Tigerhawks’ defensive play on the night as a key to the win. They turned a double play in the second inning.
In the top of the fifth, Cody Veach, who had singled to open the inning for the Blazers, was thrown out trying to go from first to third on a single by Devon Veach. Anderson coaxed a pop-up and a ground-out by the next to batters to close out the game.
“We have a great group of seniors and this was a good win to send them off on. We play at home (tonight) but this was our senior night,” said Steve Glenn, Tigerhawk head coach. “Defensively, when we make plays, we can stay in games. Our pitchers have kept us in games and if we play well behind them we’re tough.”
Colfax-Mingo improved to 16-14 on the season. It was hit by a couple of injuries this season.
The Tigerhawks take on Saydel tonight at home then finish up the regular season with four road games next week.
The other seniors on the team are Chad McLain, Michael Brown and Jaden Van Dyke.
In Tuesday’s game, Alexander, Yoakum, Anderson, Lourens and Blood each had a single for C-M.
