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OTTUMWA — Oh what a difference a week makes.
When the Ottumwa baseball played its first home game of the season a week ago Friday, the Bulldogs were coming off four straight losses to ranked 4A opponents West Des Moines Valley and Indianola. The Bulldogs got that much-needed first win of the season, shutting out Oskaloosa 8-0 in the first game of the season at John Hart Stadium.
One week later, the Bulldogs haven't stopped winning. Ottumwa followed up a pair of tough Iowa Alliance Conference south division wins over Des Moines East one night earlier, rolling to a pair of non-conference five-innings victories over North Scott dominating the Lancers 10-0 in game one and 13-1 in game two on Friday.
"I was really proud of the guys. We talked about putting seven innings of solid baseball together in each game. We played well enough here that it only took five solid innings," Ottumwa head baseball coach Joey Mitchell said. "We were scoring in almost every innings and, if we didn't score, we kept putting pressure on them."
Jace Mitchell joined Tucker Long in pitching a five-inning complete game for the Bulldogs in the sweep against North Scott, striking out 11 Lancers while allowing five hits, one walk and one earned run. Mitchell also had the first of Ottumwa's 24 hits in the doubleheader, igniting a six-run rally in the opening inning of the opening game with a one-out single to left just 24 hours after delivering a walk-off home run in the same direction lifting Ottumwa to the first of two comeback wins over Des Moines East.
"My confidence was definitely up at the plate and on the mound," Jace Mitchell said. "Even before we started stretching, I knew it was going to be a good night for the whole team. This is one of the biggest ballparks in the entire state, to be able to hit any ball over the fence is pretty amazing."
Mitchell batted right between the two hottest hitters in the doubleheader for the Bulldogs. Mitchell Jordan, who came with clutch hits throughout Thursday's two wins over Des Moines East, went 5-6 in his debut at the lead-off spot for Ottumwa driving in three runs scoring scoring four times including three runs scored as part of a four-hit nightcap for the junior.
"I felt very comfortable in that situation," Jordan said of batting lead-off. "I'm happy that Coach Mitchell felt comfortable putting me there and just made the most of my opportunity."
Right behind Jordan and Mitchell was Dawson Weller, who refused to be retired against North Scott. Weller connected on three hits in both contest, going 6-6 in the doubleheader while reaching in all seven plate appearances driving in a team-leading five runs while scoring four times.
"We're playing with a lot more confidence. We're playing better as a team and it shows," Weller said. "When we get out early, taking good at-bats and scoring early, it just brings the entire morale of the team up. It's just a lot easier to play loose when you have the lead."
Quinn Larsen and Tyler Schaus connected on consecutive RBI doubles for the Bulldogs in the first inning of the first game, bringing in the first three of Ottumwa's six early runs. Staked to the early lead, Tucker Long earned his first win on the mound in his senior season for the Bulldogs as the University of Mississippi signee allowed just two hits and four total baserunners in five innings against North Scott (2-8) while striking out nine batters in the complete-game shutout.
"Both pitchers threw extremely well. Having both go the distance on the mound is awesome," Joey Mitchell said. "We definitely had some hitters step up for us. We've got some kids that have continued to hit the ball well. It was nice to see an entire team effort."
Ottumwa (5-4) faces key Iowa Alliance south doubleheaders this week. After making a Monday afternoon trip to Des Moines Lincoln, the Bulldogs return home on Wednesday to host Des Moines Roosevelt in a pair of games starting at 5 p.m.
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When the Ottumwa baseball played its first home game of the season a week ago Friday, the Bulldogs were coming off four straight losses to ranked 4A opponents West Des Moines Valley and Indianola. The Bulldogs got that much-needed first win of the season, shutting out Oskaloosa 8-0 in the first game of the season at John Hart Stadium.
One week later, the Bulldogs haven't stopped winning. Ottumwa followed up a pair of tough Iowa Alliance Conference south division wins over Des Moines East one night earlier, rolling to a pair of non-conference five-innings victories over North Scott dominating the Lancers 10-0 in game one and 13-1 in game two on Friday.
"I was really proud of the guys. We talked about putting seven innings of solid baseball together in each game. We played well enough here that it only took five solid innings," Ottumwa head baseball coach Joey Mitchell said. "We were scoring in almost every innings and, if we didn't score, we kept putting pressure on them."
Jace Mitchell joined Tucker Long in pitching a five-inning complete game for the Bulldogs in the sweep against North Scott, striking out 11 Lancers while allowing five hits, one walk and one earned run. Mitchell also had the first of Ottumwa's 24 hits in the doubleheader, igniting a six-run rally in the opening inning of the opening game with a one-out single to left just 24 hours after delivering a walk-off home run in the same direction lifting Ottumwa to the first of two comeback wins over Des Moines East.
"My confidence was definitely up at the plate and on the mound," Jace Mitchell said. "Even before we started stretching, I knew it was going to be a good night for the whole team. This is one of the biggest ballparks in the entire state, to be able to hit any ball over the fence is pretty amazing."
Mitchell batted right between the two hottest hitters in the doubleheader for the Bulldogs. Mitchell Jordan, who came with clutch hits throughout Thursday's two wins over Des Moines East, went 5-6 in his debut at the lead-off spot for Ottumwa driving in three runs scoring scoring four times including three runs scored as part of a four-hit nightcap for the junior.
"I felt very comfortable in that situation," Jordan said of batting lead-off. "I'm happy that Coach Mitchell felt comfortable putting me there and just made the most of my opportunity."
Right behind Jordan and Mitchell was Dawson Weller, who refused to be retired against North Scott. Weller connected on three hits in both contest, going 6-6 in the doubleheader while reaching in all seven plate appearances driving in a team-leading five runs while scoring four times.
"We're playing with a lot more confidence. We're playing better as a team and it shows," Weller said. "When we get out early, taking good at-bats and scoring early, it just brings the entire morale of the team up. It's just a lot easier to play loose when you have the lead."
Quinn Larsen and Tyler Schaus connected on consecutive RBI doubles for the Bulldogs in the first inning of the first game, bringing in the first three of Ottumwa's six early runs. Staked to the early lead, Tucker Long earned his first win on the mound in his senior season for the Bulldogs as the University of Mississippi signee allowed just two hits and four total baserunners in five innings against North Scott (2-8) while striking out nine batters in the complete-game shutout.
"Both pitchers threw extremely well. Having both go the distance on the mound is awesome," Joey Mitchell said. "We definitely had some hitters step up for us. We've got some kids that have continued to hit the ball well. It was nice to see an entire team effort."
Ottumwa (5-4) faces key Iowa Alliance south doubleheaders this week. After making a Monday afternoon trip to Des Moines Lincoln, the Bulldogs return home on Wednesday to host Des Moines Roosevelt in a pair of games starting at 5 p.m.
Continue reading...
