KANSAS CITY, KS - It was a beautiful afternoon for baseball at Turner's Steineger field for the Bishop Ward Cylcones and the Turner Bears. Turner came out on top in this one 7-1. The Bears improve to 6-3 on the year (6-1 Kaw Valley), while the loss dropped the Cyclones to 2-2-1 (1-2-1).
The game was a pitching masterpiece by Turner starter Corey Cowan, who finished the game giving up only one run and striking out eight batters in the complete-game effort.
"I was just feeling it today" said Cowan, a senior. "I was hitting my spots and that's what happens."
The Bears offense was very timely in this one as well, racking up 11 hits. The Ward defense had its struggles in the field and that also led to runs later in the game.
The Cyclone's starter Cole Henley pitched well through the first four innings, as Ward was only down by a score of 2-1 but an intentional walk to Turner senior Ryan Sport put two men on for senior William Renne, who got a hold of one and lined it down the third-base line.
With that two-run double, the Bears had control. They tacked on two more runs later in the inning to make it what turned out to be the final score.
"I was kind of offended that they internationally walked the guy in front of me" said Renne. "I hadn't been able to time him up in my first few at bats but I was finally able to and it felt good. It always feels good to beat Bishop Ward."
The only Ward run came in the fourth inning. Henley doubled to lead off the inning and then Ward used small ball, a fly out to get him to third and another by junior Chase Gonzalez to get Henely home.
"We just couldn't get outs when we needed them" said coach Dennis Hurla. "But credit goes to Turner. They were just seeing the ball really well."
The Bears will look to continue their hot streak with a home game against Sumner Academy on April 20. Ward will try and bounce back with a home game against Rockhurst on April 16.
