North Union’s Trevyn Feasel makes contact with the ball during a game against Urbana on Wednesday. Feasel went one-for-four at the plate, picking up a double and two RBIs to help the Cats win 13-0. North Union is now 5-1 for the season.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
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North Union’s baseball team has been seeing the ball well of late.
The Wildcats, who have won by the run-rule their last three games by an average of 13 runs, did it again by beating Urbana, 13-0, in a shortened game on Wednesday.
NU head coach Klarke Ransome credited the win to his seniors understanding what they need to do at the plate.
“The guys have been dialed in and focused,” he said. “It makes it easy when you have 10 seniors.
“They have been here before and they know what is expected of them,” said the coach. “There are not too many arms that they haven’t seen before.”
The offensive power started early for the Wildcats and came often as they jumped on Urbana’s pitcher in the bottom of the first inning.
Anthony Padovano drove the ball to the outfield for a single and worked his way to second base on a passed ball.
Ashden Turrill came through with a man in scoring position. His deep line drive in the centerfield gap resulted in an RBI double.
Joel Krebehenne legged out an infield single to advance Turrill to third.
Turrill completed his trip around the bags on passed ball to give the Cats a 2-0 run after the first inning.
North Union starting pitcher Zach Ahern kept Urbana hitters at bay. He fanned four and allowed only two hits.
Ransome said the Wildcats’ early-season success in large part is due to solid pitching.
“The main thing is our pitchers are throwing strikes,” he said. “In six games we only have six walks and when guys are throwing strikes, it’s easier on everybody.”
Those strikes across the plate were backed by a solid defense that picked up the majority of balls put into play.
The Wildcats continued to keep their number in the run column climbing.
They added four in the third inning with the help of a solid double from Riley Young that plated two runs.
NU’s real offensive push came in the bottom of the fourth inning with seven runs. North Union made good contact on the ball to load the bases.
Aaron Krebehenne put the ball down the first base side of the field for an RBI. Trevyn Feasel followed up with a double that plated two more runs.
Urbana’s pitcher lost some control, putting both Carsen Newell and Padovano on base after being hit by pitches.
Turrill tallied his third and fourth RBIs with a single to the outfield grass.
Padovano scored the Wildcats’ 13th run on passed ball.
Ransome said his team has so much experience that he can take a step back and let them lead the team to victory.
“One of the things I have said many times with this group is I think some of the best teams are player-led teams,” he said. “I think you have average-to-good teams when the coach has to lead.
“When the players are holding each other accountable and leading, I think that is when you get great teams and we are doing a good job of that.”
Ahern closed out the game with two groundouts and picked up his fourth K for the win.
The Wildcats advanced their record to 5-1 on the season and will square off against Jonathan Alder at home on Friday.
Lady Cats win
The NU softball team drilled Urbana, 11-0, in five innings.
Madison Amstutz picked up the shutout and only gave up one hit during the victory.
The Lady Cats got on the board in the second inning with two runs and followed up with six in the third.
The Cats put the pressure on in the top of the fifth inning plating three additional runs to give them the needed 10-run spread to end the game early.
Regan Martino went three-for-three and drove in two runs.
North Union (4-1) will host Jonathan Alder on Friday.
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