The Philomath High School baseball team won its first series in Oregon West Conference play Friday with a 16-6 victory at Sweet Home. Both wins by the Warriors in the three-game set ended early on the 10-run rule.
Philomath (6-8 overall, 2-1 Oregon West) has now won six straight series over the Huskies dating back to 2021. The Warriors had won 15 straight against Sweet Home before falling to the Huskies on Thursday.
Down 3-0 in the third, the Warriors tied the score in quick fashion with a one-run single by senior Wylie Griffith and a two-run homer by junior AJ Altishin.
After Sweet Home regained the lead in the bottom of the third, Philomath pushed five more across — all with two outs — in the top of the fourth. With the bases loaded, senior Caleb Babcock walked, junior Gavin Bennett was hit by a pitch and junior CK Kvidt walked to give the Warriors a 6-4 lead. Two more runs came in on a two-run single by junior Jacob Hernandez.
Sweet Home got back to within 8-6 in the bottom half of the inning but Philomath added four to its run total in the fifth. Babcock hit a one-run double and Bennett had a one-run single to push the Warrior lead to 10-6. Babcock later scored on a wild pitch and Kvidt delivered a one-run single.
Philomath put the game away in the sixth. Sophomore Sammy Hernandez hit a one-out double and later scored on a double by Altishin. Babcock followed with a two-run shot to right field for a 15-6 lead. Bennett later walked and came around to score for the 10-run lead.
In the bottom of the sixth, Sweet Home got one batter aboard on an error but the game ended with a swinging strikeout.
Philomath broke out of an offensive funk in the victory with a dozen hits, including five that went for extra bases. Altishin went 3 for 3 with a double, home run, four runs scored and three RBIs. Babcock finished 2 for 4 with a home run, three runs scored and four RBIs. Kvidt was 2 for 2 with two RBIs and three walks. Bennett and Jacob Hernandez also drove in a pair of runs.
On the mound for Philomath, starter Jayce Iverson, a sophomore, threw three innings and allowed five hits, two earned runs and two walks with four strikeouts to get the win. Babcock threw the last three innings and allowed two hits, two earned runs and three walks with four strikeouts for a save.
Junior Kyle Zajic led Sweet Home (6-7, 1-2) with two hits. Senior Luke Rosa hit a home run in the fourth inning. The Huskies used four pitchers with Zajic going 3-2/3 innings in a start. In all, Sweet Home pitchers issued 10 walks.
Philomath now turns its attention to Stayton (12-2, 2-1) for a three-game series next week — two of those matchups on the road. The Warriors and Eagles will get it started at 5 p.m. Monday in Stayton.
Philomath 16, Sweet Home 6 (6)
Friday, April 24, at Sweet Home HS
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 R H E Philomath (6-8, 2-1) 0 0 3 5 4 4 16 12 3 Sweet Home (6-7, 1-2) 1 2 1 2 0 0 6 7 4
Iverson, Babcock (4) and Herbert; Zajic, Rosa (4), Taylor (4), Hoffman (6) and Smith. W — Iverson. L — Zajic. S — Babcock. 2B — Northern (SH), Zajic (SH), Babcock (P), S. Hernandez (P), Altishin (P). HR — Altishin (P), Rosa (SH), Babcock (P).