Juda Smith slides into home during the game against Centerville Big Reds.
Photo by Jesse Simmons
Eddyville – The second week of the season concluded with the first doubleheader for Albia against EBF on May 30. A pair of wins, in addition to a win earlier in the week had Albia sitting atop the conference standings with a 4-0 record.
In their first game of the doubleheader, Carson Sohn threw a gem which led to a 5-1 win. In addition to pitching a complete game, he also struck out 10 Rockets along the way. Drake Irwin led the way on offense with three hits, coming up a home run shy of hitting the cycle. He also drove in one run and scored once. Connor McFall had a pair of hits and drove in one run and Jaxon Strickler had one hit and drove in two runs. Four other Demons had one hit each including Isaac Helm, Maddex Kennedy, Draek Kennedy and Juda Smith.
The Blue Demons had one occurrence last season where their starting pitcher went the distance. Irwin pitched all seven innings against Martensdale St. Marys, leading to another win, and struck out two.
“To see Carson excel at what he wants to do made it even more special. To have him come in at the end of the game and see that he had 10 strikeouts. He wanted 10 and he got 10,” Albia coach Brad DeMoss said. “We knew that we had several different arms available going into the second game.”
Game two featured scoring early and often by both squads with Albia holding a slim 5-4 lead at the end of two innings. Eddyville took the lead in the sixth inning, and after four scoreless innings, the Blue Demons scored twice in the top of the seventh to take the lead back for good. Irwin knocked in both runs with a double and McFall earned the save by closing out the Rockets.
“Eddyville came out stronger in the second game and I think it took the boys by surprise they were ready to go as soon as they did. It was a good doubleheader to get out of the way and get their endurance up,” coach DeMoss said. “They could’ve rolled over, but these guys won’t quit until the last out is made. To have the pitching carry us that deep in the game and keep us in striking distance, then get a timely double, it speaks volumes to the effort they will put forth the rest of the season and their mentality by not quitting.”
Maddex had four hits, including one double, and drove in two runs. Irwin finished the night with three hits and drove in three runs and Draek had two hits and drove in two runs. Helm had two hits, Strickler had one hit, Carter Folkerts had two hits and Beau Buckingham also had one hit. Helm pitched the first two innings, allowed one hit and four runs while striking out three. McFall came in from there and pitched five innings, allowing two hits, and struck out six.
“Ike pitched well through the first couple innings, but our defense didn’t give enough support and had too many errors,” coach DeMoss said. “We didn’t want to rack up his pitch count and kept him under 60 and then brought McFall in with a lower strike zone being called.”
Earlier in the week, Albia wrote a new chapter in their rivalry with Centerviile, cashing in late for a 12-5 win. The Big Reds scored all five of their runs in the first four innings, at that point leading 5-2. Albia countered with two runs in the fifth and another eight runs scored in the sixth. Irwin had two hits and drove in three runs, Maddex had one hit and drove in two runs and Strickler also had one hit and drove in one run. McFall had one double and drove in one run and Buckingham also drove in one run. Draek and Smith also had one hit each.
“The bats came alive in the sixth inning and once we withstood their starter, we were able to get at their bullpen. Just being patient and getting Decena’s pitch count up,” coach DeMoss said. “That was a good inning for all the boys. Everyone was getting the ball in play and getting on base and it’s nice to see that happen this early in the season.”
Strickler and McFall did the damage on the mound, allowing five hits and five runs, two earned. They also combined for nine strikeouts and walked three.
Albia is in for a long week with five games in as many days, including four conference games. They faced Davis County on June 2, followed by playing at Fairfield on June 3 and a doubleheader at Cardinal on June 4. They will close out the week at Knoxville on June 6.
“I’m hoping we can keep a zero in the conference loss column and beat all three opponents. Fairfield is always a good club to play, especially on the road,” coach DeMoss said. “We will mix in some other guys against Fairfield, but we want to stay fresh going into our conference games. Our main goal is to get a conference title and Albia hasn’t had one in quite some time.”
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Juda Smith slides into home during the game against Centerville Big Reds.
