Warden splits with Kiona-Benton

WARDEN — The Warden Cougars jumped on Kiona-Benton in game one of Tuesday’s doubleheader but the Bears rallied in game two to get the split.

Warden head baseball coach Dan Caballero said his team performed solidly in game one Tuesday afternoon.

“The first game we showed up and played real well,” he said.

The Cougars dominated  game one of the doubleheader with the help of starting pitcher Arty Reyes’ performance on the mound.

Reyes pitched a two-hit shutout for Warden in game one, taking an 8-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth.

Warden continued to pressure the Bears and Reyes helped himself at the plate when he hit a two-run single in the bottom of the sixth inning to put the Cougars ahead 10-0 — activating the 10-run mercy rule.

While the Cougars controlled the first game of the doubleheader, Caballero said his team struggled in game two.

“We had a big error in the fourth,” he said. “We were up 2-1 with two outs and we had miscommunication between (the outfielders).”

Kiona-Benton managed to capitalize on Warden’s errors in game two and the Bears held on for a 5-2 victory.

Warden’s Geo Flores pitched well in game two of the doubleheader but Caballero said his team struggled defensively.

“Flores only gave up four hits in the second game,” Caballero said. “The errors killed us.”

Although the Cougars lost the second game of the doubleheader, Caballero said his team’s season is not over.

“(We play) a loser-out game with (Kiona-Benton) on Friday,” he said. “If we win we are the No. 4 seed. It we lose we are out.”

Caballero said his team needs to play fundamental baseball Friday if they hope to extend their season.

“It has been a Jekyll and Hyde season for us,” he said. “We will see how the kids respond (Friday). It is gut-check time.”

The Cougars will play the Bears Friday afternoon at a neutral field — Columbia-Burbank High School.