The Valle High School Varsity Baseball team had just steamrolled three consecutive opponents, racking up an unheard of 39 runs in the span, and seemingly had all the momentum they would need. Perhaps the team used up all of its offensive fire power, because this week, the Warriors only managed to score seven runs across three games, losing the first and last games of the week, but salvaging a victory in between.
Facing the Longhorns from Parkway West on Monday, April 18th, the Warriors practically handed the game to their opponents, committing six errors, including a costly error in the first, leading to a three-run hole, of which they never managed to climb out. Valle did score in the third inning as Parkway gifted them two runs on an error of their own.
All of that was inconsequential as the Longhorns took advantage of three consecutive walks and another error in the sixth, which allowed Parkway to put up six runs in the inning. Valle managed to notch another run in the seventh, making the final score 10-3.
With the offense seemingly burnt out, Josh Bieser, Collin Vaeth and Isaac Viox provide the lone hits, three singles, for the game. Starting pitcher Grant Fallert took the loss, pitching three innings, walking one, and striking out four.
The next game was a much better and more consistent effort from everyone. The Warriors scored one run in each of the first four innings and only allowed one to win the game 4-1. The offense was somewhat better, cashing in four runs on five hits, but the defense was markedly improved, committing only one error.
With two hits and two RBIs, Viox did the most damage. Jackson Fowler added one RBI on one hit while starting pitcher Vaeth earned the win, lasting three innings and giving up zero runs while striking out three. Clayton Drury, Nathan Schwent and Bieser contributed to the win from the bullpen.
Lastly, on Thursday, April 21st, Valle challenged West County but didn’t put up much of a struggle. The Warriors conceded six runs across the first four innings and didn’t offer much in the way of a counterattack. The defense struggled again, committing three errors, while the offense could only muster up three hits, in the 6-0 loss.
Three singles were the entirety of the offense, coming off the bats of G. Fallert, Aiden Heberlie and Chase Fallert. Pitching four innings and giving up three earned runs, but striking out seven, Drury took the loss.
Now with a 14-5 record, there is still room for improvement, but the Warriors are yet again in the midst of a dominant season. The team will need to regroup and focus on the remainder of the season, including a big Lebanon tournament this weekend.
