The Hampton-Dumont-CAL and West Fork baseball and softball teams will meet in their annual Highway 65 battle on Tuesday.
HD-CAL baseball (5-13 overall) earned a 5-2 road win over Clarion-Goldfield-Dows on Monday. Junior pitcher Dawson Wikert settled in allowing only two runs with nine strikeouts in 6 ⅓ innings against the Cowboys. Freshman Carson Helmke also drove in two runs.
Bulldog Head Coach Matt Lokenvitz says it’s about mindset and developing from tough competition moving forward.
“We’re putting together some good games, we’re starting to put the ball in play,” says Lokenvitz. “You keep that mindset of, guys, we maybe don’t have the record we want to have, but it’s going to help you as you move forward. As you get into the tournament time, you’re used to seeing good pitching and used to seeing good hitters. It puts you in situations that are just going to make you better.”
West Fork (9-7 overall) in their last outing soared to a 15-5 victory in five innings over Northwood-Kensett on Friday. Junior Nolan Schreckengost is a leader of the pitching rotation with 1.42 ERA and 18 strikeouts in six appearances.
The game will air on 104.9 KLMJ with pregame at 4:50 p.m. followed by the first pitch at 5:00 p.m.
West Fork softball (9-4 overall) has won four of their last five following a 5-1 loss to #10(1A) Newman Catholic on Monday. Junior Joanna Wallace entered the week in rhythm at the plate with a .450 avg. 18 hits and 11 RBI’s.
West Fork Head Coach Sadie Winfrey says mental toughness and discipline at the plate is a focus.
“I think it’s at the plate and it comes down to being mentally tough and disciplined when it comes to batting the ball,” says Winfrey. “We’re defensively sound and they know that. They know that our focus is gonna be at the plate. So that’s what we’ll continue to work on.”
HD-CAL (5-9 overall) had a nice bounce back 10-0 win in five innings at Clarion-Goldfield-Dows on Monday. Senior Teaghan Bird with a .459 avg. and 17 hits entering the week has helped boost the offense.
Action begins at 5:00 p.m. in Sheffield.
