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Fischer Buckingham and Hunter Gibson
Wayne avenged one of their losses from earlier this season when they hosted Central Decatur on June 19. In their first meeting of the season, the Cardinals defended their home diamond with an 11-10 win. This time, Wayne earned the win by defeating Central Decatur 18-10. The Falcons scored in all but one inning of the game, striking first with five runs scored in the first inning. They tacked on one more run before the Cardinals hit back with four runs in the third. Wayne countered with three runs of their own and both sides plated two runs in the fourth inning. Central Decatur scored another four runs to cut the deficit to one run but would get no closer. Between the fifth and sixth innings, Wayne plated seven more runs to complete the fireworks.
The Falcons tallied 15 hits and struck out just four times while the Cardinals had five hits and struck out 12 times. Gage Swan led the team with three hits, including two doubles, and drove in two runs followed by Colby Holbrook with two hits and drove in three runs. Bently Dodson had two hits, one double, and drove in three runs, Fischer Buckingham had one hit, a double, and drove in two runs and Braden Werts had two hits, one double, and drove in one run. Lane Ingram had two hits, one double, and drove in two runs and Braxton Johnston-Buckner had two hits and drove in two runs. Maddux Moore was the lone Falcon to record a hit and not drive in any runs.
Wayne stole eight bases with Werts swiping five bags, Buckingham stole one base, as did Dodson and Johnston-Buckner. The lone stat the Cardinals won was stolen bases, totaling 17 bags swiped. Werts got the start, pitching 2/3 inning of one-hit, two-run ball while striking out two. Swan came in to pitch 1 2/3 innings, allowing two hits and four runs while striking out one. Moore tossed eight pitches, resulting in one walk and one hit batter before Ingram came in to pitch one out, walking one and hitting two batters. Johnston-Buckner worked two innings of two-hit, one-run ball while striking out four and Bryer Hoover pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing two hits, four runs and struck out five.
The Falcons were dealt a loss the following night when they traveled to face Southwest Valley, resulting in a 16-9 loss. The Timberwolves scored two runs in the opening inning, but Wayne took the lead with three runs scored in the third. Another run in the fourth pushed the lead to two runs, but the Wolves struck back with four runs in the fifth. Wayne took the lead back by plating five runs in the sixth, but Southwest Valley put up a 10-spot in the bottom of the inning to end the scoring.
Wayne totaled 11 hits with Hoover leading the way with three hits to go with one run driven in. Swan had a pair of hits to drive in three runs, Werts drove in two runs and Buckingham had two hits and drove in one run. Holbrook had two hits, including the teams’ lone double and Ingram also had two hits. Buckingham pitched one inning and allowed one hit, followed by Holbrook who pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing eight hits, six runs and struck out five. Dodson finished the game pitching 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits and 10 runs while walking three.
The Falcons got back in the win column when they hosted Seymour on June 23, trailing once all game. The Warriors scored four runs in the first and held a narrow lead with Wayne plating three in the bottom of the inning. The Falcons took the lead with a four-run second inning, followed by the Warriors tying the score 7-7. Wayne took the lead for good with six runs scoring and added on another four in the fourth inning to cap off a 17-7 win.
Swan led the team by driving in five runs with two hits, including one double and Holbrook knocked in four runs with a four-hit performance. Moore drove in three runs with three hits, including one double and Ingram also drove in one run with two hits. Buckingham and Werts also had two hits. Dodson and Johnston-Buckner had one hit each to round out the offense.
Wayne was scheduled to face East Union on June 24, but their game was cancelled due to weather. Their next game was on June 26 with Martensdale-St. Mary’s in town, followed by a road game at Nodaway Valley on June 27. The Falcons will close out the regular season hosting Southeast Warren on June 30 and Mount Ayr on July 1. They open postseason play on July 5 hosting Seymour.