Baseball: Junior Chargers split with Western

by Tommy Lemoine

The Dow High junior varsity baseball team split its doubleheader with Bay City Western Thursday, coming out victorious in the first game 6-4 before falling 17-13 in a game two slugfest.

Jonathan Knapp started the game for Dow High, going five strong innings and striking out one. After the Warriors took an early lead, the Chargers regained momentum in the fourth inning, scoring four runs and taking a lead they would never relinquish.

Knapp contributed to his winning effort by getting two hits and stealing two bases, while Ben Dvorak added a double and a RBI.

Game two was where it really got interesting for both teams. After Western took an early lead, the runs started coming mid-way through the game when the Chargers pushed across nine in the fifth. But the Warriors weren’t to be outdone, responding in the next half inning by scoring ten of their own as every player in their lineup scored.

The Warriors would hold on for the win.

“Give them credit, they hit the ball,” said Dow junior varsity coach Ben Cronkright. “That’s what good teams will do.”

For the Chargers, Knapp had two doubles and two stolen bases while Jordan Herman added two RBIs.

Overall, Cronkright was pleased with the way his team has played of late, particularly given the tough opponents the Chargers have faced.

“We lost a couple of tough games, and it would’ve been easy to get down,” Cronkright said. “But we responded well, and hopefully the momentum will carry over against Midland.”

Dow High will play the rival Chemics at Midland High Monday. Game time is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.