Baseball Undefeated in District
The Warriors won two big district games last week, improving their district record to 9-0 as the team inched closer to a 1-5A district championship.
On Tuesday, April 5, Liberty defeated Bishop Lynch 12-2. Head coach Johnny Isom said, “The game blew wide open for us with six runs in the bottom of the third inning.”
The Warrior offense dominated the Friar pitchers, going 14 for 25 on the day. Outstanding offensive players were Chad Nack, Neal Bohannon, and Foster Ford, who all collected two hits on the day. Corey Dodd had a three-hit day, and Trevor Simms had only one hit, but that one was a grand slam. “Trevor’s ball was a backbreaker, and it took all of the fight out of the Friars,” said Isom.
Pitcher Chad Nack was stellar on the mound, giving up two runs and only two hits over six innings. “Chad is always going to keep us in ball games,” Isom said.
In Liberty’s game at Prestonwood on Friday, April 8, the Warriors offense had a slow start against a very good lefty for the Lions, but used timely hitting to push seven Warrior runners across home plate to win 7-1.
“It wasn’t pretty by any stretch, but it was a district win,” said Isom. “Sometimes a bigger sign of being a championship ball team is winning despite not playing your best.”
Neal Bohannon was the offensive star, getting three hits on the day and driving in two Warrior runners.
“Neal has a knack of getting the big hit when we need it,” Isom said. “Neal isn’t going to ‘wow’ the crowd with towering home runs, but he is the guy we want up when the game is on the line. He seems to get better the bigger the situation.”
Pitcher Trevor Simms earned the win on the day, throwing five innings, striking out nine and walking zero. Eric Heidelman pitched the final two innings to preserve the win.
“The most impressive stat for me was between Simms and Heidelman; they did not walk a Prestonwood batter. Anytime you can limit your free passes to zero, you have to like your pitching performance.”
Upcoming games this week are Tuesday, April 12, against Bishop Dunne at home at 7 p.m., and Saturday, April 16, at John Paul II at 10 a.m.
Isom said, “I am proud of the boys and the way they are taking care of business in the new district. This next round of district action will get us one step closer to our goal … a district championship.”