By Brandie Gay
The Van-Far Indians won the District Title Tuesday, May 15 in their game against the Sturgeon Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs were the first to put runs on the scoreboard in the first and second innings. The Indians would answer the challenge in the bottom of the fourth with singles from Gage Gibson and Carson Huff, taking the lead over the Bulldogs, 4 – 2.
Continuing their scoring streak, the Indians put up five more runs in the fifth, on three hits. Reece Culwell doubled, scoring a run, Garrett Hopke drew a walk, scoring another run, Malik Douglas doubled, scoring two runs and Gibson singled, scoring one more run.
The Indians would come out of the game with 11 hits. Malik Douglas would collect three hits at five at bats while Tyson Douglas and Gage Gibson also collected multiple hits. Patience at the plate would help the Indians pile up the walks. Van-Far would collect 10 walks with Hopke, Ronnie Stanich and Gaven Gaston each taking two free passes. Running wild on the base paths, the Indians would steal 17 total bases. Gibson, Huff, Stanich, Culwell and Slade Keller each stole multiple bases for Van-Far.
Culwell would step on the mound first, giving up eight hits and six runs, five earned, over six innings, striking out seven and walking two. Gibson Condie would come in as relief pitcher for one inning, surrendering one hit, striking out one and walking none.
The Van-Far Indians will continue their journey onto Sectionals. The Indians traveled to Queen City on May 20 to face Schuyler County. The first pitch was at 6 p.m.