Webster's clutch hit helps Waldorf split home doubleheader

FOREST CITY, Iowa - Ryan Webster's bases-clearing double combined with Ryan Meyer's complete-game shutout helped the Waldorf baseball team earn a split in a home doubleheader with Valley City State Friday.

Stellar pitching was on display for both team's starting pitchers in the opening game of the four-game series. Waldorf's Ryan Meyer faced off against Valley City State's Hunter Magnuson. Neither pitcher allowed a run to cross home plate over the first five innings. Meyer didn't allow a Viking baserunner to reach third base until the sixth inning. Meyer induced a two-out popout to end the threat. The Warriors finally broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth. Kolby Amaral started the rally with a one-out double to left. Two walks followed to load the bases with the two outs. On a 3-2 pitch, Webster laced a drive to left field that cleared the bases. That was more than enough for Meyer who retired the Vikings in order to secure the 3-0 Waldorf win. Meyer struck out five while allowing only five hits in the complete-game shutout.

The second game was another pitcher's duel. Jamie Olson started for Waldorf and pitched seven solid innings allowing only three runs on four hits while striking out seven. Gunnar Huffman pitched two innings of scoreless relief. Takao Cookson started for VCSU and went 5.1 innings. Connor Nelson pitched the final 3.2 innings to get the save. At the plate, Zach Meyer belted a fourth-inning home run to left to trim VCSU's lead to 2-1. Meyer drove in another run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly. But that was all the closer Waldorf would get and they fell 3-2.

Another doubleheader is scheduled for tomorrow in Forest City starting at noon.