Pontiac rally falls short against Heyworth; Dwight posts league win

HEYWORTH — Pontiac was given a limited amount of time to make a rally and the Indians saw time run out as they came up short in their nonconference baseball game against host Heyworth Wednesday.

The Tribe lost 6-4 to drop its season mark to 8-11.

The Hornets led 2-1 when they erupted for four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, leaving PTHS just two at bats to try to make up a five-run difference.

Pontiac scored a run in the sixth inning but the frame ended with a play at the plate. Johnny Lenox led off with a two-base hit and, after the next two batters made out, Tanner Legner was hit by a pitch to give the Indians runners on the corners.

Legner stole second before Cam Fenton singled to center. Lenox scored but Legner was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.

The Indians looked to make a final bid of at least tying the contest in the top of the seventh inning. Alex Trevino led off with a walk and he scored on Michael Kuska's two-base knock to center. One out later and with Kuska at third, the Tribe tacked on another run as Kuska scored on a wild pitch.

Barnett and Lenox followed with base hits but the Hornets got out of trouble when, after a pitching change, Henry Brummel hit into a double play to end the game.

Heyworth scored single runs in the second and third innings to take a 2-0 lead. Pontiac got one back in the top of the fourth when Lenox, who walked to lead off the inning, scored on a two-out single from Legner. Lenox had a double and single to lead the Pontiac offense. Kuska had a double and run batted in and Trevino had a two-base hit. Legner and Fenton each had a single and drove in a run while Barnett also singled.

Parker Francis took the loss on the hill, giving up six runs on seven hits and one walk. He struck out five in 4 2/3 innings. Reed Frazier finished up, striking out three.

Dwight 6, Midland 2

VARNA — Dwight scored first and scored last and claimed a 6-2 Tri-County Conference baseball win over host Midland Wednesday.

The Trojans wasted no time in getting on the board as they chalked up the game's first marker in the top of the initial stanza. Ryan Turner got things rolling with a one-out base hit. Luke Gallet reached on an error that allowed Turner to score and make it 1-0.

DTHS made it 2-0 in the third inning. Jack Duffy and Turner each drew walks to lead off the frame. They moved up on a Gallet fly ball and Duffy scored on Dawson Carr's sacrifice fly.

The Timberwolves tied it up with two runs in the last of the third, but a three-run outburst in the fifth gave Dwight the lead for good.

Duffy singled to kick off the rally. He took third when Gallet singled one out later. Carr walked to load the bases and Jeremy Kapper delivered a two-run single to center as Duffy and Gallet crossed the plate to make it 4-1. Two wild pitches with Jack Denker batting allowed Carr to score for a three-run advantage.

Duffy singled with one out in the sixth and scored on Turner's base knock for the final difference.

Turner had two hits and a run batted in for the Trojans (2-14) and Duffy added two singles. Kapper had a hit and two RBIs while Gallet, Denker and Drew Anderson each singled. Carr had a run batted in.

Terry Wilkey got the win in relief. He fanned three and gave up just one hit in four innings. Gallet went the first three frames, allowing two runs, three hits and two walks while setting down seven on strikes.

Dee-Mack 7, Lexington 2

MACKINAW — Despite getting off to a good start, Lexington was not able to maintain its good fortune and Dee-Mack rallied for a 7-2 Heart of Illinois Conference baseball win Wednesday.

Jimmy Smith was plunked with a pitch with one out in the top of the first inning. He scored on a two-base hit from Nolan Bowles to get the Minutemen on the board. Bowles, who took third on the throw, scored when Camden Hardman grounded out for a 2-0 lead.

But that was it for Lexington, who managed just three more hits the rest of the game. LHS missed as scoring opportunity in the third inning but the Chiefs didn't, plating five runs to take the lead. Dee-Mack added single runs in the fourth and fifth frames for the final difference.

Bowles had a double and RBI and Hardman singled and drove in a run for Lexington (5-12). Hayden Sennett and Jaxson Goodrich each singled.

Michael Olson took the loss in going the distance on the bump. He allowed seven runs (two earned), seven hits and three walks to go with five strikeouts.

This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Pontiac rally falls short against Heyworth, Dwight posts league win