Red Oak keeps third-ranked Glenwood close

RED OAK – As the Red Oak Tiger baseball team prepared to meet the state’s third-ranked 3A Glenwood Rams, they knew they probably would give up hits to Taylor Kaufman who has hit .609 in the first eight games of the season. They also knew that they would probably see a variety of pitchers, which they faced four in Monday’s 5-2 loss, but as junior Colby Wise toed the rubber, the Tigers did not expect him to hold the high-powered Ram offense to 10 hits, striking out six batters, while shutting Glenwood out through the first three innings.

Wise also helped his own cause at the plate, driving in one of the Tigers’ two runs, hitting one of three with a double.

The Tigers offense struggled, with only four hits, but also reached four times on base on balls.

Dakota White picked up the tigers second RBI on a sacrifice fly during the third inning.

Kaufman, the Rams first baseman, combined with third baseman Nick Wells for five of Glenwood’s 10 hits, along with two RBI and a double.

The Tigers’ tough stretch continued Wednesday as Red Oak traveled to St. Albert, where they took on the 2A fourth-ranked Falcons, where they were defeated 8-4.

Red Oak’s bats were held again to only four hits, while picking up four walks.

Centerfielder Cody Walford scored one of the Tigers’ four runs after reaching base by being hit by a pitch. Dylan Berry, who hit one of four, scored another run for Red Oak.

Beau Boeye, Jackson Miller, and Nick Leinen each had a hit in the 8-4 loss. Leinen picked up Red Oak’s two RBI’s with his lone hit.

Red Oak pitching held up well, as White and Miller combined for four strikeouts, giving up nine hits and only two earned runs. The Tiger defense was plagued with errors, finishing with five, which led to six unearned errors.

After starting their season playing their first seven games at home, the Tigers traveled to Creston Monday, followed by a trip to Atlantic Thursday, Corning Saturday, and trips to Glenwood and Council Bluffs next week.