March 29, 2024

Area baseball roundup

Errors, Greene Co. beat CMB

COLLINS — Defensive miscues prevented Collins-Maxwell/Baxter from winning its second consecutive home game Wednesday night.

CMB committed nine errors in a 9-3 loss to visiting Greene County.

The first error occurred in the top of the first with two outs. Instead of recording the third out, a fielding mishap by CMB shortstop Spencer Gauch allowed two runs to score. The Rams added another run later in the inning, creating a four-run hole CMB couldn’t climb out of.

Another error in the fourth inning, this time on a throw to first base following a Greene County sacrifice bunt attempt, resulted in two more runs and an 8-1 lead for the road team.

“Very frustrating,” CMB third baseman Seth Balke said. “Very frustrating when you know you can do better. I hope it makes everyone want to do that much better the next game so tomorrow we bounce back.”

The Raiders’ only bit of substantial offense came in the bottom of the sixth when Balke and Zach Samson ripped hard liners by Greene County third baseman Jordan Hostetler and into left field. Both Balke and Samson came around to score.

The Raiders totaled five hits and were held in check most of the night by Greene County pitching.

Nate Bishop suffered the loss on the mound for CMB.

“Tonight, it’s just an off night,” Balke said. “Couldn’t really hit the ball and had a couple of bad errors. Just didn’t go our way.”

CMB (5-13) plays at home again tonight against Class 3A Ballard (11-5) at 7:30.

PCM loses to No. 4

STORY CITY — A four-run fourth inning separated fourth-ranked Roland-Story from Prairie City-Monroe Wednesday night.

The Norsemen defeated PCM, 5-1, after both teams scored one run each in the second inning.

PCM freshman Luke Greiner pitched five innings in defeat. He gave up only three hits but walked five.

Junior Jerod DeVries drove in the Mustangs’ only run when he singled home Austin Brown. Senior Zach Uhlenhopp went 2-for-3 and was the only other PCM batter to record a hit.

PCM (9-9) plays another highly-ranked opponent tonight at 7:30 when the Mustangs take on Class 1A No. 1 Twin Cedars (20-0).