After running through the competition with double-digit victories, the Crest Lancers seem to hit their first bit of adversity after losing three of their last four games.
The Lancers fell in both games of Tuesday’s doubleheader against Southern Lyon County in Olpe, 9-5 and 12-4, as the perennial powerhouses got their first peek at their regional competition.
Crest jumped out to an early lead on an RBI single by senior first baseman Kade Nilges, but Olpe scored eight unanswered runs to take control and leave the Lancers playing from behind for the remainder of the opener.
The Lancers scored a pair of runs in the sixth on an RBI double by junior catcher Jensen Barker and sophomore third baseman Roy Gordon, then added another pair of runs in the seventh on a two-RBI single by junior pitcher Drake Weir. It was not enough to overcome the early deficit.
Weir finished the opener with a team-leading two RBIs, followed by Gordon, Barker and Nilges with one each. Freshman pitcher Kola Walter took the loss after giving up six runs and four walks over three innings, but he did have a team-leading three strikeouts.
The finale was not as close as the opener. Olpe scored six runs in the fifth inning to seal the victory. Crest jumped ahead in the first with a pair of bases-loaded walks, then a Weir RBI single pulled them within 4-3 after Olpe responded with a four-run first inning. An RBI double by junior outfielder Henry White in the sixth inning cut into Olpe’s lead, but not enough to pull Crest back in contention.
Gordon, Weir and White tied for the team lead in RBIs with one each. Nilges took the loss after tallying a team-leading three strikeouts but giving up four earned runs and three walks.
The Lancers hope to bounce back when they head to Oswego for a Monday doubleheader. First pitches for both games are 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.
