Hawks extend win streak to six

KEOSAUQUA – The Central Lee Hawks have won eight of their last nine and six in a row and are peaking about a week before post-season baseball.
The Hawks beat Van Buren County 5-0 on Thursday and beat Keokuk in a tough 3-1 contest Wednesday. Central Lee has played four games in four days and won all four, including a 9-2 win over New London and Monday’s 12-2 win over Pekin in Dyersville at the Field of Dreams movie site.
On Thursday, freshman Blake Davis continued to show he’s one of the best players in the area, striking out 11 over six innings of work while walking just one, allowing one hit, and no runs in the gem. Chase Johnson came in to clean things up in the seventh.
Davis also went 2-for-4 at the plate with two singles, two RBIs, and a run scored to lead the Hawks.
Kayden Calfee and Cory Jones had the other hits for the Hawks.
Jones may be playing the best ball of the year at the right time for Central Lee. During the six-game win streak Jones is hitting .600 with 12 RBIs. The Hawks moved Jones into the nine-spot about five games into the season.
On Thursday, the Hawks got on the board in the top of the third with a couple runs. Jones singled to start the inning and stole second. Davis followed with an RBI single from the top of the lineup. Bo Herdrich would pop out, but Davis moved to second on an errant pick off attempt. Calfee then doubled to left, bringing around Davis for a 2-0 lead.
They would add two more in the top of the fourth when Van Buren starting pitcher Lucas Fett gave up a walk and then hit Gage Van Ausdall and Jones in back-to-back plate appearances. Davis popped out to center for the second out, driving in Zach Manwill on a tag from third. Herdrich would walk to load the bases again. Van Ausdall would score on a wild pitch for a 4-0 lead before Van Buren could get out of the inning.
The Hawks added an insurance run in the top of the fifth.
On Wednesday, Central Lee and Keokuk were tied at 1 after four innings of play. Then the Hawks added two runs in the bottom of the fifth for the margin of victory. Herdrich, Hunter Edlin, and Van Ausdall all had RBIs in the win. Herdrich’s came on a solo homer. He also got the win going 6 2/3 innings striking out nine hitters and walking five. He allowed one earned run on two hits. Johnson again worked the save, getting the final out with a K.
The Hawks (15-5) host Mediapolis on Monday before Class 2A Substate 6 District 12 baseball begins on July 6 with Centerville (9-17) coming to Central Lee High School. The winner will face Pleasantville (19-10) in the district semifinals. The district 12 title game will be played on July 13 with the winner facing the district 11 champion for the right to go to state in Carroll starting July 22.