BASEBALL: Du Quoin loses third straight
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The DuQuoin High School Varsity Baseball Team is struggling right now. Errors are happening at inopportune moments; pitching is not holding up for seven innings; and hitting is not timely. Hopefully, things will come together all at one time.
DuQuoin lost another game on Wednesday, this time to West Frankfort; the score was West Frankfort 6 and DuQuoin 3. DuQuoin's record moves to 1-3.
West Frankfort scored three runs in the fifth inning on 4 hits and three runs on 2 hits and an error in the sixth inning. DuQuoin scored one run in the third inning on a Drew Bennett single, followed by J.C. Davis getting on by an error. The third baseman and left fielder misplayed the ball allowing Bennett to score. Davis was stranded at third.
In the fourth inning, Trent Bigham hit a one out double. Sam Gossett drove Bigham home with a single. Baxter singled moving Gossett to second, but both were left on base.
In the fifth inning, Davis had a lead off single. Kegan Robbins hit into a fielder's choice. Davis was out at second. Stanhouse, on a hit and run, singles to left field. Robbins moved to third and Stanhouse to second on the throw. Bigham then singled in Robbins.
Brandon George pitched 5 innings for the Indians allowing 9 hits, 3 earned runs, and had 6 strikeouts. Kegan Robbins got the loss (0-1) pitching one inning allowing 2 hits with 3 runs, and one walk.
DuQuoin totaled 11 hits. J.C. Davis was 2-4, Kegan Robbins 1-4 (a double), Jake Stanhouse 1-4, Trent Bigham 3-4 (including a double) and an RBI, Sam Gossett 1-4 with an RBI, Seth Baxter 2-4, and Drew Bennett 1-2.
Coach Tim Craft was obviously disappointed with the loss. "We have to learn to play a whole seven innings. We are still leaving too many base runners in scoring position. We have to become the aggressors and not sit back and wait for something to happen. We only made one error. Unfortunately, it came at a very bad time (sixth inning). We are just going to have to work harder in practice to right the ship. Our backs are against the wall right now."
The Jr. Varsity Team, coached by Jeromie Morgan, beat West Frankfort 13-2. Their record is now 2-0. Last week the JV beat Harrisburg (9-3) for their first win of the season. The winning pitcher against Frankfort was Camdon Mercier (1-0). Mercier pitched 6 innings allowing 5 hits, two earned runs, had 2 walks, and 6 strikeouts. Nate Boss relieved for one inning and had 1 strikeout and 1 walk.
Camden Youngman was 2-4 at bat with back to back home runs and 4 RBI. Brendan Fred was 3-5 (including a double), Nate Boss 2-4 with 2 RBI, Austin Mansker was 3-5, Jonah Spencer 2-4 with 3 RBI, and John Erwin 1-2 with a double and 2 RBI. Other Indians seeing action were: Garret Dorsey, Jacob O'Rourke, Thomas Hamlin, Kenny Kellerman, Kody Hess, Daulton Bigham, and Brendan Shepard.
Coach Morgan commented that "this is a great bunch to work with; they are hard workers and have great attitudes. Mercier, for the first outing of his career, did a great job of pitching. I am proud of the team for their hard work and dedication."
DuQuoin travels to Mt. Vernon on Friday for both Varsity and Jr. Varsity games (4:30). Saturday will be the DuQuoin Invitational. DuQuoin plays at 10:00 against Breese Mater Dei and at 2:00 with Flora.