Warriors wallop Falcons in first round

Van Buren’s Jackson Manning pitches for the Warriors during their 16-4 victory over West Burlington on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Hunter Moeller/The Union)

ELDON — Van Buren County couldn’t have asked for a better performance on Saturday night in its Class 2A region 6 first round matchup with West Burlington.

Van Buren’s Lucas Fett sends a ball down the third baseline on Saturday, July 2, 2022 against West Burlington. Fett and the Falcons were winners 16-4. (Hunter Moeller/The Union)

The Warriors took care of business, downing the Falcons big by a score of 16-4.

It was a slow first inning for the Warriors, but it didn’t take long for them to turn it on.

After going scoreless through the first, Van Buren found a spark with two outs as Lukas McEntee, Jackson Manning, Bailey Roen and Taylor Sprouse all came through with RBI singles to take the lead 4-0.

“Getting out of that first inning was pretty big for us,” Van Buren head coach Chad Scott said. “We played a little bit more small ball tonight, but we were able move them over and bring them in.”

Bailey Roen hits an RBI for Van Buren on Saturday, July 2, 2022 against West Burlington. The Warriors downed the Falcons 16-4. (Hunter Moeller/The Union)

An inning later, the Warriors added six more runs to their total with Dylan Richardson laying down a bunt to score a run, a sac fly by McEntee, a pair of wild pitches and a two RBI single by Sprouse.

West Burlington scored its first runs of the night in the four and fifth. The Falcons rattled off four runs between the two innings, but it made no difference as Van Buren ended with another big scoring inning.

Maddix Kite lays down a bunt during Van Buren’s 16-4 victory over West Burlington on Saturday, July 2, 2022. (Hunter Moeller/The Union)

Roen tallied yet another RBI single to increase the lead to 11-4, while Lucas Fett smashed an two RBI double and Tyler Stoltz a two RBI single. Manning ended the run with an RBI single to take a 16-4 lead.

“Our team came together really well,” Manning said. “The energy was high the whole game and we did everything we could to win. I thought everyone did their job. The defense played well and we put good wings on the ball.”

Manning and Sprouse both put together a nice performance on the mound.

With the win, Van Buren advances to round two of the Class 2A Region 6 district and will take on Mediapolis (19-4) on Tuesday.