Following mixed results in nonconference play for Philomath High’s baseball team, the Warriors opened their “second season” in league action Monday at Terry Stephenson Field with a dominant 13-3 victory over Sweet Home.
Senior Caleb Babcock allowed five hits, one earned run and no walks with eight strikeouts in a five-inning, 73-pitch performance on the mound. The Warriors broke open the game on offense with 10 runs in the third inning, turning a 3-2 deficit into a 12-3 lead.
Philomath (5-7 overall, 1-0 Oregon West) took a 2-0 lead in the first on a two-run double by junior CK Kvidt.
In the third, the Warriors tied the game, 3-3, when junior AJ Altishin opened the inning with a double and later scored on a wild pitch. Facing a new pitcher, Philomath took the lead when junior Jacob Hernandez was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. A bases-loaded walk by sophomore Jayce Iverson and a two-run double by sophomore Sammy Hernandez put the Warriors up, 7-3.
Two more runs came in on a single by Altishin and Babcock’s follow-up hit to right gave Philomath a 10-3 lead. Altishin and Babcock later scored when Kvidt reached on an error to give the home team 10 runs in the frame.
The Warriors went up 13-3 in the fourth when Iverson tagged up and made it home on a fly to center by Sammy Hernandez. Sweet Home got one hitter aboard in the top of the fifth on an error but Babcock struck out the next two batters to end the game early on the 10-run rule.
At the plate for PHS, Sammy Hernandez went 2 for 3 with three RBIs. Altishin and Kvidt each had two hits and two RBIs.
Senior Luke Rosa led Sweet Home (5-6, 0-1) offensively with two hits.
The series now moves to Sweet Home for a 5 p.m. Wednesday game. The Warriors will host the Huskies again for the third game at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Philomath 13, Sweet Home 3 (5)
Monday, April 20, at Terry Stephenson Field, Philomath HS
Team 1 2 3 4 5 R H E Sweet Home (5-6, 0-1) 0 1 2 0 0 3 5 1 Philomath (5-7, 1-0) 2 0 10 1 x 13 8 3
Babcock and Herbert; Rosa, Lindsey (3), Taylor (4) and Smith. W — Babcock. L — Rosa. 2B — Altishin, Kvidt, S. Hernandez.