The Harmony Grove Hornets (8-3; 3-0 in conference play) suffered two consecutive losses last week, to Woodlawn and Rose Bud, both coming one day after a 4-1 home win over the Drew Central Pirates.
Harmony Grove quickly bounced back from the losses by defeating the Prescott Curly Wolves 13-5 on Monday, March 14 and the Dewitt Dragons 3-1 on Tuesday, March 15.
In the win over the Curley Wolves, four Hornets accounted for multiple runs, with junior infielder Brayden O'Hara scoring three runs on his own. The Hornets only had two strikeouts in 40 plate appearances. Senior catcher Lane Davis led the Hornets in putouts with eight.
Junior shortstop Caleb Johnson accounted for another big game with four hits, one double-base hit, three RBIs, one home run and two runs in his five plate appearances. He was also the starting pitcher, allowing four hits and four runs while also delivering six strikeouts in five innings pitched.
The following day, the Hornets hosted the Dragons in a game where they had trouble in the batting and fielding game. As a team, the Hornets only accounted for four hits, three runs, two walks five strikeouts. Davis, Johnson and senior third baseman Hayden Bussell each accounted for a run after getting on base once. Johnson was the only player to get on base more than once, as he had a hit and a walk.
The saving grace for the Hornets against the Dragons was the stellar pitching from senior Braden Brown. While Brown allowed hits from the Dragons' batting team, he held them to only one run and allowed one walk while delivering seven strikeouts.
Harmony Grove has shown they can win multiple different ways against unique and well-established teams. The Hornets have a series of reliable and highly efficient pitchers ranging from Brown, Davis, Caleb Johnson and senior and UAM commit Gabe Johnson.
The Hornets also possess a roster full of consistent batters. Through 11 games this season, the Hornets are averaging eight runs per game. The Hornets have scored more than 10 runs four times this season, with the biggest win being the 26-1 win over the Dollarway Cardinals on March 7.
They are also an established fielding team as they have helped contribute to allow only an average of 3.4 runs per game. Head coach Blake Williams is still looking for his team to play a perfect game, and this Saturday will be another chance to do so as they take on the Vilonia Eagles (1-7) and the Fordyce Redbugs (4-3).
Photo By: Michael Hanich
Harmony Grove shortstop Caleb Johnson up to bat in the game against Drew Central.