The Wildcats were ranked 16th when the initial 1A Power rankings were released on Tuesday last week. They went 0-3 during the week, although two of the three losses came against 3A opponents.
Joseph City started the week hosting Great Hearts Anthem on Wednesday. The Eagles came in ranked ninth, with a 6-2 record. Two big innings by the visitors gave them a large lead which the Wildcats nearly rallied from late. The Eagles scored 6 runs in the third, then added 9 in the fourth to lead 16-3 after four innings. Joseph City narrowly avoided the 10-run rule with 4 runs in the bottom of the fifth. That kept them alive and made for an exciting final inning. Joseph City entered the bottom of the seventh trailing 19-9, but by the time the third out was recorded they had pulled to within one, losing the game 19-18.
Both teams finished with 16 hits. Joseph City was led by Heston Miller who went 3 for 4 with a double. Kase Fish was 3 for 5. Justin Gardner went 3 for 5 as well. Cort Miller went 2 for 4 with a double. Kyan Larsen was 2 for 4. Jaxon Arnell went 1 for 3 with a double. Tytan Penrod was 1 for 3, and Robinson went 1 for 4.
Joseph City utilized four pitchers in the loss. Benson Moss, Colton Larsen, Fish, and Cort Miller combined to pitch all seven innings. Collectively they allowed 19 runs on 16 hits with four strikeouts but walked 11 Eagle batters.
The following day’s runs were harder to get in a 6-0 home field loss to neighboring Holbrook. The Roadrunners scored twice in the first, then both teams went scoreless through five innings, before Holbrook tacked on another run in the sixth, then pushed across 3 final runs in the top of the seventh. Joseph City was held to just 2 hits in the loss.
Kyan Larsen went 1 for 3 with a double. Penrod was 1 for 3. Kyan Larsen pitched five innings allowing just 2 runs on 1 hit, with 4 strikeouts and 4 walks. Cort Miller pitched two frames giving up 4 runs on 4 hits, with 3 strikeouts and walked 1.
Saturday afternoon Joseph City welcomed in Alchesay. The Wildcats led 2-1 going into the fifth inning where the Falcons scored 4 runs. Joseph City trimmed the lead to 5-4 with 2 runs in the bottom of the sixth, but that was the end of their threat. Alchesay picked up an insurance run they wouldn’t need in the top of the seventh and went on to win the game 6-4.
Both teams finished with 7 hits. For the Wildcats JJ Sander went 2 for 2. Colton Larsen was 1 for 1, Heston Miller 1 for 3, Penrod 1 for 4 and Cort Miller went 1 for 3.
Fish pitched five innings allowing 5 runs on 6 hits with 2 strikeouts and one walk. Cort Miller worked two innings allowing 1 run on 1 hit with 4 strikeouts and a pair of walks.
With the three losses the Wildcats saw their overall record fall to 7-6-1. This week they will play at St. Johns on Monday. They will play at least four games in the Epic Tourneys Baseball Classic held Thursday through Saturday. The tournament is hosted by Horizon Honors.
