Cherokee Chronicle Times: High School Sports: Braves post 2-1 record at Carroll tourney (06/30/10)

Curtis Ege has been a mainstay on the mound for the Cherokee Braves of late as the team has played several games on consecutive days. Photo by Paul Struck

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The busy Cherokee Braves dropped two Lakes Conference baseball games last week and then regrouped to chalk up a 2-1 record and third-place finish in the rugged Carroll Kuemper Tournament Saturay and Sunday in carroll.

The Braves lost 7-4 at Sheldon to begin the week, with Gordy Gill taking the pitching loss, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks, with one strikeout in two innings of work in relief of Curtis Ege, who gave up four runs on seven hits and two walks, with three Ks in four innings.

Zac Woods had a double and two RBI to pace the Cherokee batters, while Matt Pitts had an RBI single, and Alanzo Ruble and Jakob Hummel each stroked a hit.

Spirit Lake beat the Braves 9-2 in Cherokee Friday night, with Brock Benson absorbing the pitching loss, allowing five runs on 11 hits and two walks, with four Ks in 5 2/3 innings. Kyle Schuck relieved Benson and gave up one hit, one walk, and struck out three in 1 1/3 innings.

Hummel was 2-3 with an RBI, Matt Pitts 2-3 with a triple, and Curtis Ege and Gill each tallying singles.

Cherokee pitcher Matt Pitts, middle. races with the ball to the first base line to tag out the batter, as Cherokee first-baseman Zac Woods scurries to cover the bag and the base umpire gets in position during recent baseball action in Cherokee. Photo by Paul Struck

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Cherokee beat Spencer 8-5 in the opener at carroll, with Curtis Ege getting the win, allowing four earned runs on seven hits and three walks, with three Ks in 5 1/3 innings. Schuck got the save by retiring the side in 2/3 of an ining.

Matt Pitts was 3-3 with a double and RBI to lead the Braves, while Ruble had a single and three RBI.

Cherokee lost 12-1 to rated Harlsn in the second game at Carroll, with Hummel getting the loss, allowing 10 runs on seven hits and four walks, with two Ks in 1 1/3 innings. Woods relieved Hummel and allowed two runs on five hits and three walks, with three Ks in3 2/3 innings in the abbreviated 5-inning game.

Cody Ege, Curtis Ege, and Jake Spindler had the hits for Cherokee.

The Braves defeated le Mars 8-2 on Sunday in the consolation game, with Gill getting the win, giving up no earned runs on three hits and four walks in five innings. Cody Ege relieved and struck out five in two innings of work.

Curtis Ege was 2-3 with an RBI, Woods 2-3 with three RBI, Hummel had an RBI single, and Benson, Ruble, and Pitts each singled for the winners.

"Gordy and Curtis pitched well for us in the tournament," said Cherokee coach Scott Koch. "We played poorly in the Harlan game. You can't give a team like Harlan extra outs. They made us pay for our mistakes."

The Braves play at Storm Lake tonight, and at Emmetsburg Friday.