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Washington Evening Journal
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Trojans clinch share of 2nd
Fairfield baseball sweeps Keokuk, locks up at least a share of 2nd place
FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield baseball team entered Monday night’s game with Keokuk with a lot on the line. The Trojans wanted to play well on senior night, and the race for second place in the Southeast Conference was as tight as ever.
By the end of the night, everything seemed to come up in the Trojans’ favor. Fairfield swept the Chiefs, winning Game 1 14-7 and rolling in a six-inning Game 2, 10-0.
“We've been talking the last few days about just making sure that we take care of what we can take care of,” said Fairfield head coach Josh Allison. “Just control what we can control.”
Fairfield had full control of Game 1 after four innings. The Trojans had let Keokuk rally back from a 4-0 deficit to tie things up at 4-4 in the top of the fourth, but the Trojans answered back with a seven-run bottom of the inning to jump ahead 11-4, and Keokuk could never get back within striking distance.
Fairfield had two players record multiple RBIs in the win, as Tate Allen went 1-for-4 with two knocked in, and Cody Birlson was 0-for-3 with two RBIs of his own. Landon Nodurft, Caden Allison, Tallon Bates, Aiden Westercamp and Isaac Harris each had an RBI.
Allen earned the win on the mound, giving up just four runs (two earned) over five innings of work. He struck out seven Fairfield batters. Nate Konczal gave up three earned runs in two innings of relief.
Freshman Dain Burkhart took the mound for Game 2, and the Chiefs had no answer for the Trojan hurler. Burkhart cruised to a three-hit shut out and struck out three batters over his six innings on the bump.
“I've been really comfortable up there,” Burkhart said. “I've got a great defense behind me.”
Tallon Bates went 1-for-3 with a double and three RBIs in the win. Landon Nodurft was 1-for-4 with two RBIs. Allen, Allison and Aidan Kreuter each had an RBI.
Fairfield’s win moved the Trojans to 14-17 overall, but more importantly put them at 8-6 in conference play. With Mt. Pleasant’s split in Fort Madison, the Trojans have clinched at least a share of second in the conference standings.
After hosting Centerville on Tuesday night, the Trojans go right back at it with Keokuk on Thursday. A win in that game locks up second place alone.
“I think we've played some of our best ball recently,” Burkhart said. “We've had many chances to win more games, but the beginning of the season isn't what matters. It's how you finish it off.”
