WICHITA, Kan.—
The Northwest Grizzlies traveled to Hutchinson on Friday to take on Olathe East and Hutchinson. The Grizzlies defeated Olathe East 2-1, and crushed the Hutchinson Salthawks with a score of 13-4.Northwest started Jacob Jones on the mound and Jones pitched a complete game with 14 strikeouts, no walks, and five hits on one earned run.
“I knew they were going to be tough games. Olathe East run-ruled us last year, so going into the game knowing that really made us want to get them back,” Jones said.
Jones said the Grizzlies played well as a team during both games, but they still have lots of things they are working on.
Senior Austin Barnes and senior Garrison Lorenz both scored one run in the 4th inning to take down the Hawks of Olathe East.
“We just take it one game at a time, and we know that with baseball anything can happen,” Lorenz said.
Proving that is the fact that Hutchinson defeated Maize last week. The Maize Eagles are the defending 6A state champions.
The Grizzlies had no trouble defeating Hutch, a team that took down perennial power and defending 6A state champion Maize last week.
“We went out and played like we know how to do,” said Lorenz. “I think we were all pleased with our performance against Hutchinson. We were just clicking and playing well together as a team.”
Junior Mitch McIntyre pitched five innings and notched eleven strikeouts, four walks and four runs with one earned run.
Lorenz took the mound for the final two innings and came away with five strikeouts, one walk and no runs allowed.
The Grizzlies are hoping for a top finish in the city league, and a return to the state tournament later this year.
“This team is definitely showing lots of skill that many people didn’t think we had. “We are excited about the potential this team has,” Jones said.
Northwest has a busy week ahead, starting Monday when they play games against North at 4 and 6 at McAdams Park.
