Cloud Clouts Cards For District Crown

Team faces MCC in Regional Semi Wednesday

 Photos by Bobbie Cruzan
 
N3 Sports- We’ve written before about the turnaround accomplished by the White Cloud baseballers this season. Coach Mahn’s team seemed to suddenly jell about halfway through what was looking to be a season of struggles. With many underclassmen in starting roles the lack of experience seemed to be taking it’s toll before a seemingly simultaneous improvement on defense, in the batter’s box, and on the mound.
Friday found them in a game for the District Title and a trip to Regionals.
And man, did they ever respond.
Here’s Coach Mahn’s take on the game. 
 
 White Cloud 18 Mason County Eastern 0
​
The Indians lost the flip of the coin, and started the game batting as the visitors and did we ever start off fast.
 Leading off the first inning, KJ Strait ripped a long double over the left fielder's head, Alex Cruzan followed with a hard single, then Landyn McGowen hit an RBI single for a first inning lead of 1-0.  
Taylor Bode started on the hill for the Indians, and gave up a lone single in the 1st inning. 
The Indians were shut down in order in the 2nd inning, as Bode also set down all 3 batters in the 2nd for MCE.

With the Indians coming up to bat in the 3rd inning, their bats came alive, after a lead off strike out, Zane Kukal got on by an error, Alex Cruzan laced another single, Bode walked, Mason Cruzan double to right field to drive in 2 runs, Christian Ringler singled in another run, then Jacob Francis singled up the middle to plate the last run of the inning.  White Cloud now had a 6-0 lead.
 Bode struck out the first batter to start the 3rd inning, but then struggled to find the strike zone, by walking the next 2 batters.  Coach Mahn, with a quick hook replaced Bode with Mason Cruzan, after a pitch in the dirt temporarily eluded Bode, the runner attempted to advance to 3rd base but was promptly thrown out by Bode to Landyn McGowen at 3rd base.  Cruzan then retired the side with a groundout back to himself.  
 
The 4th inning started for the Indians with a strikeout, but Strait started the offense, with a ringing double, Alex Cruzan walked, then McGowen hit a rocket shot way over the center fielders head for a 2 run double, after another strike out, Mason Cruzan finished the hit parade with another single.  The Indians lead was now 9-0.  
 Mason Cruzan enticed a leadoff grounder back to himself for the 1st out of the 4th inning.  The next batter hit a single to right field but was promptly thrown out by Bode attempting to steal 2nd base.  A ground ball to Strait at 1st base ended the inning.  
 
The 5th inning was started with a base hit by Jacob Francis, followed by a walk to Jayson Ruether, then a hit by Kukal, a fly out by Strait, Alex Cruzan was hit by a pitch (for the 15th time) an RBI walk for McGowen, a 2 run single by Bode, a walk to Mason Cruzan, a 2 run single by Ringler, a hit by pitch to Francis, an RBI walk by Kukal, then a 2 run double by Strait, for an 18-0 lead.  
 Mason Cruzan set the Cardinals down in order in the 5th inning finishing with 2 consecutive strikeouts. 
 
Leading the team offensively were KJ Strait with 3 hits - all doubles, 2 runs, 2 RBI's, Alex Cruzan with 3 runs scored and 2 hits, Landyn McGowen with  2 runs, 2 hits (double) with 4 RBI's, Mason Cruzan with 2 hits, 2 Runs, and 4 RBI's, Christian Ringler with 2 hits, 2 runs, and 3 RBI's, and Jacob Francis with 2 Runs and 2 hits.
 
The Indians will travel to Holton Wednesday for a Regional Semi-Final matchup with the Crusaders of Muskegon Catholic Central.
First pitch scheduled for 4:15pm.