Hurricanes Stumble at Slugfest NIT
Oskaloosa Indians
The Oskaloosa Hurricanes 12U baseball team was back in action this past weekend at the Slugfest NIT tournament in Indianola, IA. The ‘Canes were unable to sustain their recent strong play, stumbling to a 13th place finish from a field of 17 teams from across Iowa and Nebraska.
The first pool game got things off to a good start for the Hurricanes as they defeated the Johnston Stingers 10 – 5. Hogan Rockhold, Connor Reed, and Rian Yates combined for the victory from the mound, while being led offensively by Reed who had three hits including a double. Lucas Bunnell also had a double in the winning effort, with Jackson Blythe, Nikolas Dykstra, Austin Hafner, and Rockhold having a hit each.
The ‘Canes lost their momentum quickly in the second pool game falling 18 – 10 to the ADM Tigers. Several defensive miscues in the early innings were too much for Oskaloosa to overcome. Yates had three hits in the contest, with Cole Kraber, Reed, Dykstra, and Bunnell also contributing base hits.
Bracket play started on Sunday with the Hurricanes facing the Legends from Fort Dodge. The Legends jumped out to a 3 – 0 lead in the first inning, but Osky fought back to capture an 11 – 3 run-rule victory. Casey Hill had two hits including a towering home run to straight-away centerfield; Yates and Kraber also put up two hits apiece. Blythe, Reed, and Dykstra each had base hits. Rockhold and Bunnell pitched early in the contest, with Yates providing solid relief allowing no hits over the last 3 2/3 innings.
The Hurricanes’ day came to a disappointing end with a 10 – 9 loss to the Iowa Sticks White. Once again it was lack of consistency on defense for the ‘Canes that led to several unearned Sticks’ runs in the tough defeat. Hill continued swinging a hot bat with three hits for Osky. Colton Jones, Blythe, Yates, Reed, and Hafner each posted a hit in the loss. Reed started on the hill, with Yates pitching the final two innings.
“Our pitching has been fairly solid, and our hitting has been good. We averaged ten runs a game over the weekend, and that should be enough to win most games,” stated Coach Doug Yates. “We simply have to get better and more consistent on defense. The boys are working hard in practice, but they need to carry it over to the games if we are to compete effectively against quality teams.”
The Hurricanes play this upcoming weekend at the Pre-Memorial Day Hardball Bash in Burlington, IA.
