By Kent Coultas
Hayden Johns drove in five runs to lead West Central to a 20-0 win over Western in the first round of the IHSA regional May 25 at Winchester.
The Cougars scored 13 runs in the first inning, five in the second and two in the third.
Johns had two doubles, scored two runs and drove in four runs in the first inning. He drove in three runs with a bases loaded double.
Thrice Kirkpatrick scored two runs and drove in three runs in the inning. Preston Adams scored one run and drove in two runs.
Johns and Kirkpatrick each drove in a run in the second inning with base hits. Ben Bangert drove in a run in the third inning.
Johns went 3-for-4 with two doubles, scored three runs and drove in five runs to lead West Central. Kirkpatrick went 2-for-3, scored three runs and drove in four runs.
Tucker Arnold went 2-for-3, scored three runs and drove in one run. Bangert went 2-for-4 with a triple, scored one run and drove in two runs.
Anthony Hance went 1-for-3 with a double and scored three runs. Preston Adams went 1-for-2, scored two runs and drove in two runs. Jack Little went 1-for-3, scored one run and drove in one run. Corbin Arnold went 1-for-2 and scored one run.
Blayne Vortman scored two runs and drove in one. Emerson Little scored one run.
Three West Central pitchers combined for a one hitter in the game. The hit came with two out in the fourth inning.
Hance pitched two innings, walked one batter and struck out three. Johnson struck out three batters in one inning. Daxton Little allowed one hit, walked one batter and struck out one.
Brown County scored four runs in the first inning and five in the third and beat West Central 12-2 in the regional semifinals at Mendon Unity.
The Cougars scored both their runs in the fourth inning.
Corbin Arnold walked, and Jack Little doubled. Arnold scored on a balk, and Little scored when Hance singled with two outs.
West Central finished the season 11-19.
