West High played their cross-town rival the City High Little Hawks on July 10 at the Trojan field. The Trojans lost the first game of the doubleheader 2-10 but turned it around to win the second game 5-4. West recognized City High Assistant Coach Skyler Moss, who is battling stage four lung cancer to show their support, and Emma Nugent with a moment of silence.

Going into the game the Trojans had prepared for City High’s common game style.

Whether @ICWestBaseball wins or loses tonight, we are rooting for a win for @ICHSBaseball @SkylerMoss2! #OneCommunity #UnitedintheFight @CityHighSports @ICWHSPrincipal @JBacon23 pic.twitter.com/9OSppurkbg

— Iowa City West Athletics (@ICWestAthletics) July 10, 2020

“We knew City High was really good at small ball, so we practiced a lot on bunt defense. I think that really helped us out a lot … There was some good preparation, but a lot of it came down to playing hard,” said Collin Leavy ’20. 

West started the first game with Leavy pitching for the Trojans, Drew Klein ’20, Aidan Clements ’21 and Clay Hulsebus ’20 came in for relief in the later innings. City hit a three-run home run in the first inning. West was next to score in the bottom of the first, bringing the score to 1-3 City. However, City scored again in the fourth off a ground ball between first and second base, the Little Hawks advanced their score to 1-4.

City kept their momentum in the fifth inning off an error, scoring an additional run. Both West and City scored a run in the sixth inning, bringing the score up to 2-6. In the seventh inning City scored two runs off a single with the bases loaded, then scored again. West lost the first game of the doubleheader 2-10.  

West started Marcus Morgan ’21 on the mound, Klein came in as relief in the sixth and struck out five of the seven batters he faced. City started out the game scoring a run in the first inning. Three up, three down for City in the second inning as Morgan strikes out two out of the three batters. West scores with bases loaded when Morgan is hit allowing Klein to score in the bottom of the second, tying the score at 1-1.

A hit by City in the third gained them another run to take the lead 1-2. A wild pitch in the top of the fourth allows for a City runner to score 1-3. In the bottom of the fourth, Morgan hits a single with bases loaded, West scored and improved the score 2-3. Will Hoeft ’20 and Ian McAreavy ’21 both got on base in the bottom of the fifth. Third batter Leavy bunted and City made an error allowing West a run, score tied 3-3.

Bases were loaded once again in the bottom of the fifth as Alex McKay ’21 hit a single to give West another run. West leads for the first time in the game 4-3. City answered back and scored in the sixth to tie up the game at 4-4. The score remained the same until Leavy first up to bat in the bottom of the seventh hit a single walk-off home run to finish out the game. West won the second game of the doubleheader 5-4. 

“The first game was pretty good, but it just got away. Then the second game, Marcus was really good, and he kept us in it. Drew Klein came in [and] struck out five of the seven guys, then Collin hitting a home run. We kept it close and let some guys really produce. Alex McKay had a really big RBI, so in a one run game everything counts,” said Head Coach Charlie Stumpff.

Although the first game didn’t go as planned for the Trojans, Morgan learned a lesson from it.

“Even when [the game] isn’t going the best, just stick with it, keep fighting through, and give yourself a chance out there,” Morgan said.

The Trojans will have another home doubleheader on July 14 against Waterloo West.

Gallery • 14 Photos

Maddy Smith

Marcus Morgan '21 throws a pitch during the second game of the doubleheader.