(Avoca, IA) – In a doubleheader matchup that had all different kinds of weather, plays on the field, and big bats at the plate, we surely were gifted a treat between the Audubon Wheelers (1-11-1) and the AHSTW Vikings (2-8). The Vikings were able to catch the first win of the doubleheader matchup, defeating Audubon 11-5 in a game that lasted well over two hours and broke the Vikings’ seven-game losing streak. Game two was a different story after Audubon won 12-2 in five innings to capture their first win of the season.
Diving into that first game of the doubleheader, the Vikings and Wheelers were in a tight ballgame for quite some time. AHSTW was able to add on a run in the first inning after some heads-up baserunning by Caleb Hatch and scored another in the third after Nick Denning was able to score the same way that Hatch scored, some heads-up baserunning. Audubon came into the top of the fifth and tied things up at 2-2 with a walk by Adam Obrecht and a double by Aaron Olsen to score Obrecht and eventually himself after a could of pass balls.
When it came to the bottom of the fifth, it was a different story, Audubon walked five batters while Kaden Jorgensen knocked in two RBIs after all of those walks scored home while also having a runner reach on an error to earn eight total runs and take a 10-2 lead. The Wheelers were not backing down without a fight, adding three more runs in the top of the sixth with a key double by Karter Obermeier and a single by Carsen Wessel to help add on a few more runs for Audubon. In the bottom of the sixth, AHSTW went on to add another run to capture the victory and break their seven-game losing streak.
After a break in between games, Audubon seemed to have a fire ignite under their feet as they woke up and started to play some tough baseball as the home team. AHSTW started off on a bit of a two-score run with Aiden Akers reaching on a drop third strike and reaching third after a Nick Denning double two put two on with no outs. After a couple of pass balls, both Aikers and Denning were able to score and put it at that 2-0 lead. Audubon would come back and take that lead back into their own hands, after a double by Brody Schultes and a single by Carson Wessel, the Wheelers were able to score three and take the lead that they’d have for the rest of the ballgame.
Jumping into the second inning, Aaron Olsen was able to slap out a triple on some heads-up baserunning while Schultes and Alt followed up with singles to continue the scoring run in the second and push Audubon to a 6-2 lead. The Wheelers would come up again in the third inning with a Gabe Jensen single while Schultes knocked in another single and a pair of runs to give Audubon the 8-2 lead. Audubon’s win would become solidified in the fourth inning when they would add four additional runs with the bats of Jensen and Schultes to bring it to the top of the fifth inning. AHSTW was not ready to end things just yet in this game as Ty Nelson reached an error and was able to get to second. After a pass ball, Nelson was able to get in scoring position on third with two outs. Nick Denning hit over to third base and the throw from Wessel to Hansen was good for the final out of the inning and the first win of the season for Audubon.
Head Coach Eric Borkowski was more than proud of the play with his boys in both games, especially in the second game of the doubleheader. This win not only marked the first win of the season, but the first conference win of the year for the Wheelers.
Coach Borkowski was most impressed at the plate by Brody Schultes who batted 4-4 with a double and three singles for Audubon. The sophomore had been struggling at the beginning of the season at the plate and was able to see his plate discipline pay off.
Another key player was pitcher Adam Obrecht, who only struck out five on the night, but set up some key plays for Aaron Olsen in center field. Olsen was able to make some key plays on high and deep fly balls that clobbered off the bats of the Vikings. His play on the field wasn’t the only benefit for Audubon, as he hit his first triple of the season to top it off.
Schultes is already looking to get back into action after this weekend for more conference play. The Wheelers will take on the Bulldogs on Monday as they look to capture back-to-back wins.
While Audubon battles Riverside on Monday, AHSTW will face off against Tri-Center on the road, starting at 7:30 p.m.
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