CEDAR RAPIDS — After heavy rains rendered their own diamond unplayable, the Spartans opted to move to Mount Mercy’s field as they hosted the Marion Wolves in a double header on Monday, June 8, which ended in a 0-3, 3-2 split.
Marion 3 Solon 0
With the Wolves plating three runs – two in the sixth and one in the seventh, on seven hits, it was a slow game ending with no runs for the Spartans.
The sixth inning spelled trouble for Solon, when Marion shortstop Jaryn Griffith and second baseman Ethan Cole scored a run each, with Solon pitcher Luke Deike getting a strikeout for that inning’s second out. Deike, a junior, pitched all seven innings with a total of 105 pitches and four strikeouts for Solon.
Solon 3 Marion 2
The Wolves kept up the pressure in the second game, with Marion shortstop Isaiah Scott sending a ball clear into left field, ricocheting off the fence to score him a double. The Wolves finished the first inning with two runs, leaving the Spartans with none.
The third inning marked a comeback with Solon catcher Carson Kidwell sacrificing himself at bat so shortstop Maddox Kelley and right fielder Luke Merrick could advance through the bases, both eventually making it to home plate at the bottom of the inning to score Solon’s first two runs of the night and knotting the game 2-2.
Substituted in for Tate Miller after the fifth, Solon pitcher Tyler Greazel struck out the last Marion batter, ending the top of the seventh inning and giving Solon one last chance to break their tie. Kidwell, again monumental at bat, scored a double and then substituted out with left fielder Brody Woolley.
Next at bat, Luke Deike then received an intentional walk to first base. Third baseman Hayden Detra bunted the ball to allow Woolley to run toward third base, and finally, second baseman Brady Wick followed with another bunt that promised Woolley safe passage to home plate, winning the game.
Solon scored three runs on three hits to win the game.
Stats
Hits – Luke Deike 2, Carson Kidwell 1, Brady Wick 1
2B – Kidwell 1
RBIs – Deike 1, Hayden Detra 1, Wick 1
SAC – Detra 1, Kinnick Sokol 1
Pitching – Tyler Greazel (W) 2 innings, 22 pitches, 0 hits, 0 runs, 2 strikeouts. Tate Miller 5 innings, 100 pitches, 4 hits, 2 earned runs, 4 walks, 5 strikeouts
Solon 15 Ballard 9
Following postponement of doubleheaders against Vinton-Shellsburg (Wednesday, June 10) and South Tama County (Thursday, June 11), the Spartans travelled to the Harlan Rogers complex in Fort Dodge Friday, June 12, where they shelled the Ballard Bombers 15-9. Maddox Kelley, Luke Merrick, Luke Deike, and Brady Wick produced two hits apiece as Solon totaled 11 in the contest with a pair of doubles for Merrick and three RBIs for Michael Bigelow. Wick was credited with the win after 5-2/3 innings and 78 pitches, giving up two hits and six earned runs, walking four, and striking out one.
Editor Chris Umscheid contributed to this report
WaMaC East standings (6-7-26)
Conf. Overall
Marion 8-1 14-1
Solon 5-1 10-2
Independence 5-3 9-7
Mount Vernon 3-7 5-10
West Delaware 2-6 5-11
CPU 1-6 2-14
Upcoming schedule
Thursday, June 18 – HOME doubleheader vs. Grinnell,
5 p.m.
Monday, June 22 – HOME doubleheader vs. Benton Community, 5 p.m.
(Youth Night)
Wednesday, June 24 –
AT Assumption Catholic, Davenport, 5 p.m.
Thursday, June 25 – Doubleheader AT Center Point-Urbana, 5 p.m.
Monday, June 29 – HOME doubleheader vs. West Delaware, 5 p.m. (Senior Night)
Tuesday, June 30 –
At Iowa City West High, 5 p.m.
