The Philomath High School baseball team dropped its second straight game at the Riverhawk Baseball Invitational in The Dalles Tuesday night with an 18-2 loss in five innings to Henley.
The Hornets broke the game open in the second inning with 10 runs and held a 16-0 lead going into the bottom of the third inning. Philomath scored twice in that frame to get on the scoreboard before Henley added two more to its total in the top of the fourth.
The Warriors (1-3) used four pitchers in the loss with senior Caleb Babcock getting the start. Sophomore Jayce Iverson, junior Jacob Hernandez and sophomore Sammy Hernandez all took turns on the mound. Sammy Hernandez had the most encouraging stat line with one hit, one walk and no runs allowed in 1-2/3 innings of work.
Henley junior Corbin Hamilton had a big evening at pitcher and at the plate. Hamilton went three innings and allowed two hits, two runs, three walks and seven strikeouts. Offensively, Hamilton had a 3-for-3 performance with a home run and three RBIs.
Philomath scored its runs on a two-out, two-run single by junior AJ Altishin. The Warriors had loaded the bases with junior Cameron Herbert and junior Gavin Bennett reaching on walks and Babcock getting aboard on an infield single.
The Babcock and Altishin singles in the third inning were the only hits in the game for the Warriors.
For the Hornets (3-1), sophomore Hunter Glidden relieved Hamilton to begin the fourth and allowed no hits, runs or walks with two strikeouts. In addition to Hamilton’s offensive contributions, junior Carson Siems also had three hits with a double and two RBIs. Junior Chase Barrett went 2 for 2.
The Warriors committed seven errors in the loss.
Philomath will try to find the win column Wednesday in the tournament with a 6:30 p.m. matchup against St. Helens at Quinton Street Ball Park. The Lions will enter the game with a 1-2 record, which includes a 4-1 loss to Henley in the tournament on Monday.
Henley 18, Philomath 2 (5)
Tuesday, March 24, at Quinton Street Ball Park, The Dalles
Team 1 2 3 4 5 R H E Henley (3-1) 2 10 4 2 0 18 11 0 Philomath (1-3) 0 0 2 0 0 2 2 7
Babcock, Iverson (2), J. Hernandez (3), S. Hernandez (4) and Herbert; Hamilton, Glidden (4) and Tacchini. W — Hamilton. L — Babcock. 2B — Siems. HR — Hamilton.