Cloud Outlasts Dawgs in Opener

Cruzan cruises in abbreviated nightcap 

Photos by Cassie Rickert

The White Cloud Indians hosted the Ravenna Bulldogs on Tuesday.
Ravenna scored in the bottom of the first inning to take a one run lead.  White Cloud tied the game at 1-1 on an RBI single by Mason Cruzan in their half of the inning. 
After holding Ravenna scoreless in their half of the 2nd inning, the Indians scored 5 runs in their at bat, aided by a run scoring walk by KJ Strait, an RBI single by Mason Cruzan and an RBI groundout by Reece Hewitt, taking a 6-1 lead.
Ravenna was held scoreless again in the 3rd inning, while White Cloud scored 4 more runs, one on a fielder's choice by Mason Cruzan, two runs on a single by Alex Cruzan, and another run on a sacrifice fly by Reece Hewitt, extending the lead to 10-1
Ravenna did not go down easy as they put up 6 runs in their half of the 5th inning, as White Cloud's lead was now 10-7.
White Cloud added another 2 runs in the 5th inning, with Landyn McGowen driving in a run as he was hit with a pitch, and Christian Ringler pushed across a run with an RBI walk.  The Indians lead was now 12-7.
The Bulldogs were not done scoring as they plated 5 runs in their half of the 7h inning to knot the score 12-12.
In White Cloud final at bat in the 7th inning, Alex Cruzan led off the inning by getting hit with a pitch, Hewitt followed with a walk, pushing Cruzan to 2nd base, Landyn McGowen then blasted a long fly ball over the left fielder's head to drive in Cruzan with the winning run, for a  13-12 score.
Two hits were collected in the game by Mason Ruether, Mason Cruzan, Alex Cruzan, and Landyn McGowen.  KJ Strait was walked 3 times while scoring 3 runs.
Mason Ruether picked up the win on the mound going 4 1/3 innings, allowing 5 runs, 3 hits, and striking out 4.

Game #2 was shortened to 3 innings.
White Cloud started the scoring in the 1st inning with leadoff hitter KJ Strait getting walked, followed by a single by Mason Ruether, Strait took third base on a passed ball and scored on a ground out by Mason Cruzan.  Alex Cruzan then drove in Ruether with an RBI single.  The Indians took a 2-0 lead.
The Bulldogs offense was shut down for 3 innings by Alex Cruzan, who faced only 10 batters in the 3 innings, giving up only a walk, no hits and striking out 3.
The final score ending with White Cloud 2, Ravenna 0

The Indians record is now 4-0, as their next game is against Tri-County after Spring Break.