AUBURNDALE — The Auburndale Varsity Eagles used a persistent offense and timely relief pitching to erase multiple deficits and pull away for a 7-4 victory over the Iola-Scandinavia Thunderbirds on Tuesday at Taylor Field.
Auburndale scored the final four runs of the game, including three in the eighth inning, to secure the nonconference win. The Eagles collected 12 hits and received strong relief work from Truxton Becker, who earned the victory.
Devin Cherney put the Eagles on the board first with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning that scored a run for a 1-0 lead. Mason Kriesel answered for Iola-Scandinavia with a single to center field in the bottom of the fourth, tying the game at 1. Josh Lundgren doubled in the top of the fifth to put Auburndale ahead 3-1. The Thunderbirds responded in their half of the inning, taking a 4-3 lead. Ben Gruba doubled to drive in one run, and Wyatt Wolberg followed with a single that scored two.
The game remained tight until the seventh. Peyton Weinfurter singled to center field in the top of the seventh to tie it at 4. In the eighth, the Eagles broke the deadlock when Becker drew a walk with the bases loaded to score a run. Cayden Jantz followed with a single that helped extend the lead to 7-4.
Becker picked up the win in relief. The right-hander worked three and two-thirds innings, allowing one hit and no runs. He struck out one and walked two. Kriesel took the loss for Iola-Scandinavia after pitching the final two innings. He surrendered four runs on six hits, with one strikeout and three walks.
Carson Desrochers started for the Thunderbirds and went four innings, giving up three hits and one run. He did not record a strikeout and walked one. Cherney started for Auburndale and threw three scoreless innings, allowing two hits with one strikeout and one walk.
Wolberg paced the Thunderbirds’ offense, going 2-for-4 with two runs batted in. Kriesel, Wolberg and Mason Morfey each recorded two hits for Iola-Scandinavia. Wolberg also stole two bases. The Thunderbirds turned three double plays in the field.
Beck Dammaan led the Eagles’ attack with a perfect 4-for-4 performance from the ninth spot in the order. Lundgren and Jantz each drove in two runs. Sawyer Malsin added two hits in four at-bats.
The Eagles’ 12-hit effort showcased their lineup depth, as they consistently put pressure on Iola-Scandinavia pitchers throughout the contest. Auburndale improved its ability to manufacture runs in key situations, capitalizing on extra-base hits and patient at-bats.
For the Thunderbirds, the loss came despite a strong middle-inning surge that briefly gave them the lead. Their bullpen struggled to contain the Eagles in the late frames, particularly in the eighth when Auburndale loaded the bases and forced crucial walks and hits.
Iola-Scandinavia will look to bounce back when it travels to face the Reedsville Varsity Panthers on Thursday, May 28.
