JACKSON — Saxony Lutheran didn’t wait long to take control Friday.
The Crusaders scored early and often, building a lead in the first two innings and cruising to a 10-2 victory over visiting Leopold.
Saxony struck first with 2 runs in the opening inning, then added 4 more in the second to take a 6-0 advantage and put Leopold on its heels. The Crusaders continued to add on, scoring single runs in the third and fourth before breaking the game open with a 2-run sixth.
Leopold managed to push across 2 runs in the fifth, but the Wildcats were unable to generate consistent offense against Saxony’s pitching staff.
Zach Roth led the Crusaders at the plate with a strong all-around performance, going 2-for-3 with a double, a triple, 3 RBI and 3 runs scored. James Hope also delivered, finishing 3-for-4 with 2 RBI, while Baylor Wilson added 2 RBI.
Cole Roth chipped in with a pair of hits and an RBI, and Kai McDowell scored 2 runs as Saxony produced 8 hits and consistently put pressure on Leopold’s defense.
The Crusaders also took advantage of extra-base hits, recording multiple doubles and a triple while moving runners efficiently throughout the lineup.
On the mound, Eli Raddemann earned the win, working 2.2 innings while allowing no runs on 2 hits. Layton Hoehne provided solid relief, and Tyler Lawrence closed out the game as Saxony limited Leopold to 4 hits.
Leopold’s offense was led by Alex Hampton and Jacob Cureton, who each recorded hits and scored runs. The Wildcats struggled to string together rallies, striking out 9 times as a team.
Defensively, Saxony backed its pitchers with a clean performance, committing no errors and continuing a stretch of improved play in the field.
“We’ve been hitting the ball well and playing much better defense,” Saxony coach Paul Sander said. “If we can keep getting that kind of production, we’re going to be in good shape.”
SAXONY LUTHERAN 18, MEADOW HEIGHTS 8
JACKSON — Saxony Lutheran’s offense came alive in a big way Wednesday afternoon. The Crusaders broke open a competitive game with a pair of big innings and went on to defeat Meadow Heights 18-8. Saxony fell behind early as Meadow Heights scored 3 runs in the first inning and added another in the second to take a 4-0 lead. The Crusaders responded in the bottom half, erupting for 8 runs in the second inning to take control.
After Meadow Heights answered with 3 runs in the third to close the gap, Saxony pulled away for good, adding 5 runs in the fourth.
Zach Roth led the Crusaders at the plate, going 2-for-4 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. James Hope added 2 hits and 2 RBI, while Walker Short delivered a big performance with 2 hits, 2 runs and 2 RBI.
Kai McDowell and Cole Roth also contributed multi-hit games as Saxony’s lineup produced up and down the order.
The Crusaders showed patience at the plate as well, drawing several walks.
Caidyn Byrd led the Panthers with 2 hits and 2 RBI, while Isaiah Long and Kamden Hays each drove in runs. Mason Mayfield and Jaxon Stanfield also added hits.
James Hope earned the win on the mound for Saxony, working 3.2 innings while allowing 6 runs on 6 hits and striking out 6.
SCOTT CITY 9, SAXONY LUTHERAN 2
SCOTT CITY — A pair of big innings helped Scott City create separation Tuesday.
The Rams broke open a close game with a 3-run third inning and added 5 more runs late to defeat Saxony Lutheran 9-2.
Scott City took an early 1-0 lead in the first before Saxony answered with a run in the top of the inning to even the score. The Rams regained control in the third, plating 3 runs to go up 4-1, then added another run in the fifth before putting the game away with a 4-run sixth.
Trey Barrett led Scott City at the plate, going 2-for-4 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored. Lane Miller added a hit and 2 RBI, while Braeden Walton and Tyson Proctor each drove in a run.
Jackson Gloth and Dannen Keller also scored for the Rams, who finished with 7 hits and took advantage of Saxony errors to extend innings.
Saxony Lutheran was limited to 2 runs on 8 hits.
Zach Roth and James Hope each recorded an RBI for the Crusaders, while Kai McDowell and Dylan Johnson added hits.
Lane Miller earned the win on the mound for Scott City, working 4.2 innings while allowing 1 run on 6 hits with 6 strikeouts. Braeden Walton and Jackson Gloth combined to close out the game.
Saxony’s pitching staff was led by Zach Roth, who took the loss after allowing 4 runs in 3.2 innings.
