(Anita, IA) — Collin Bower is pretty imposing at the plate — he is a linebacker in a baseball uniform and that can intimidate the opposing pitcher but Bower had never had a varsity home run in his career — until now. Bower hit not one but two two run home runs to lead CAM over Southwest Valley 12-2 in 6 innings on Monday night.
The Timberwolves actually scored first in the top of the first inning — Brody Crozier had a one out infield single and stole 2nd base. Gavin Wetzel singled to right but Crozier had to stop at third. Walker Bissell then laid down a bunt against CAM starter Carson McKee — it was the suicide squeeze and Bissell beat out the throw for a hit while Crozier scored. With Ethan Johnston at the plate, the T-Wolves executed the double steal. Bissell was thrown out at 2nd but Wetzel scored to make it 2-0 Southwest.
CAM got one run back in the bottom of the first — Brayden Chester hit a two out double to right and Lukas James followed with a RBI single to left to make it 2-1.
Southwest Valley starter Bissell actually struck out the side in the first inning but ran into problems in the bottom of the 2nd. He walked Zach Kauffman to start the inning and then Bower launched one up into the air in left for a 2 run HR and CAM led 3-2. Bissel would be rattled — he walked the next batter Kayden Winther, struck out Kason Calhoun but walked the next two in a row to load the bases. Brayden Chester then bounced one through the infield for a RBI hit to make it 4-2. That knocked Bissell from the game and in came Wyatt Mendenhall from center field. He gave up a RBI grounder to James but struck out Makade Paulsen to end the inning but five runs had scored and the Cougars led 6-2.
In the bottom of the third, Kauffman got a leadoff single and then Bower got his 2nd home run in as many at bats, once again over the wall in left to make it 8-2. CAM scored twice more in the 4th on back to back RBI singles from Paulsen and Kauffmann and then with the bases loaded in the 6th inning, pinch hitter Calen Anstey ended the game with a drive to the wall in left to put the 10 run rule into effect.
For Southwest Valley, Brody Crozier was 1-2 with a run. Gavin Wetzel was 1-2 with a run. Walker Bissell was 1-3 with a RBI. Casey Jones was 1-3 and Wyatt Shires was 1-2.
For CAM, Carson McKee went 4 1/3 innings and allowed 2 ER on 5 hits, walked 3 and struck out 3 to get the win. Kauffman was 2-2 with 3 runs and a RBI. Brayden Chester was 3-3 with a double and a RBI. Bower, of course, was the player of the game going 2-3 with 2 HR, 4 RBI and 2 runs.
Line Score
Southwest Valley (2-2) 2 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 5 LOB
CAM (3-0) 12 runs, 12 hits, 0 errors, 5 LOB
Carson McKee (W) 1-0
Walker Bissell (L) 0-2
Time of Game: 1:39
