(Des Moines) CAM erupted for five runs in the top of the first inning and never relinquished the lead in a 9-5 victory over Grand View Christian on Tuesday.
CAM wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Carson McKee scored the game’s first run when Kason Calhoun reached on an error by shortstop Daniel Schellhase, allowing Collin Bower to move to third. A balk by pitcher Judah Lock later brought Bower home while Braxton Dennis drew a walk, extending the lead to 2-0.
The Cougars continued their offensive surge when Kayden Winther lined a single that scored Kason Calhoun and moved Dennis to third. Later in the inning, a passed ball allowed Dennis to score and advanced Winther to third before Calen Anstey delivered an RBI single to make it 5-0.
Grand View Christian answered in the bottom of the first. Lucas Jordan scored on a single by Tate Moulton, who advanced all the way to third on the play. Moulton later scored on a passed ball before Jack Riley flew out to end the inning, cutting the deficit to 5-2.
CAM added another run at the top of the third. After a passed ball moved Calen Anstey to third and Tyler Ticknor to second, Cohen McCann lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Anstey to score for a 6-2 advantage.
The Thunder responded in the bottom half of the inning. Lucas Jordan doubled to left field to score Nate Riley and make it 6-3. Later, with two strikes, Tate Moulton launched a two-run homer to left field, bringing home Jordan and trimming CAM’s lead to 6-5.
The Cougars regained momentum in the fourth inning. A passed ball allowed Carson McKee to score and moved Zach Kauffman to third, and Collin Bower was later hit by a pitch with Kauffman still at third, extending the lead to 7-5.
CAM continued to add insurance runs. Braxton Dennis grounded into a fielder’s choice that scored Zach Kauffman while Collin Bower advanced to third, making it 8-5. Moments later, Kayden Winther singled to right field, driving in Bower and moving Dennis to third to cap the scoring at 9-5.
The early five-run first inning and key insurance runs in the fourth helped the Cougars withstand Grand View Christian’s comeback attempt and secure the victory.
CAM scored nine runs on six hits. Kayden Winther and Calen Anstey led the Cougars at the plate. Winther went 2-4 with two RBI. Anstey was 2-4 with one RBI. Carson McKee, and Cohen McCann each contributed singles. Carson McKee and Collin Bower teamed up on the mound. McKee allowed five runs (one earned) on seven hits, two strikeouts, and one walk in five innings of work. Bower allowed no runs on one hit, one strikeout, and no walks in two innings of work.
The Thunder scored five runs on eight hits. Tate Moulton went 2-4 at the plate with three RBI. Lucas Jordan, 2-2 with one RBI, and Daniel Shellhase were 2-3 at the plate. Titus Jordan, and Judah Lock each contributed one hit.
