WICHITA, Kan.—
Northwest run-ruled West 15-0 in both games Friday night earning its tenth and eleventh wins of the season. It was its eleventh win in a row.Northwest didn’t have a good start to the season as it lost its first three games, but everything has been smooth sailing since. The boys from Northwest seem to be making everything work.
Coach Travis Stockam said he is pleased with the improvements his team has made. The Grizzlies have only made four errors in the last 10 games they have played.
The Grizzlies have an experienced pitching staff that adds to the Grizzlies’ sustained success. Jake Jones, Garrison Lorenz, Garrison Holmberg and Mitch McIntyre have all performed well for Northwest on the mound. Lorenz hasn’t allowed an earned run after 16 innings pitched.
Half of the ten strikeout leaders in the Wichita city League are from Northwest. McIntyre has thrown 39 strikeouts in 31 innings, Jones has sat down 38 in 26 innings, Lorenz has added another 26 in 16 innings, and Holmberg has struck out 14 in as many innings.
Strong pitching is one of the keys to the Grizzlies’ success, but Northwest is also playing well both defensively and offensively.
Jared Gates leads the Grizzlies in runs with 19, and Devon Gandeza follows closely with 18 runs for the season. Lorenz leads the team and league with 24 runs batted in.
Lorenz said the team would like to win the city league, regionals and return to state. Northwest has made it to the state tournament the last four years.
Northwest still faces match ups with two of the top city league teams, Bishop Carroll and Kapuan Mt. Carmel.
The Grizzlies take on the Southeast Buffaloes Tuesday at 4:30 and 6:30 pm at Westburban
