BY NOAH GRIFFITH
FOR THE OBSERVER
SMITHS STATION — Glenwood School (28-7) is riding an eight-game winning streak into the second round of the 3A baseball playoffs after sweeping Montgomery Academy (13-16) in the opening round on Friday, April 24, at Tim Fanning Field.
The No. 1 Gators snatched both games via run rule — a 14-4 five-inning victory in Game 1, and 19-5 final over in six innings in Game 2. Though the Eagles put up a fight against Glenwood’s stellar pitching, the Gators’ 33-run outburst between the two contests was more than enough to notch two easy wins.
“Early in the season, the lineup was a little disjointed — just didn’t have any flow to it. Now, the guys are starting to get in a rhythm,” said Glenwood head coach Tim Fanning. “It comes down to being patient. We’re swinging at strikes and taking what they’re giving us, not chasing pitches… I’m proud of them, we just need to finish games a little stronger.”
Every hitter in the Glenwood lineup tallied at least one hit in the doubleheader, and many of them turned in multi-hit performances. Andrew Wilkinson led the way, finishing with three hits and six RBIs, including a double and three-run home run in his first two at bats of the night.
“Ever since he’s been in the program, he’s ready to hit come playoff time,” Fanning said of Wilkinson. “Just really good to see him having fun.”
In the first game, Hudson Campbell joined Wilkinson to help give the Gators a comfortable lead early on with a two-run double. Trey Claridy pitched in with an RBI single, Cam Dawson added a sacrifice fly and the Gator offense outdueled the active Montgomery bats.
In the fourth inning of the second game, Sawyer Moss was one of the only Glenwood batters remaining without a memorable contribution at the plate. That’s when he unleashed the first long ball of his season to right-center field, scoring three runs to cap off a five-run inning for the Gators.
“As a sophomore, being the starting catcher is a lot of responsibility, and he handles it with so much class,” Fanning said. “No matter what’s going on, his attitude never changes. He never stopped putting the ball in play, and that’s what happens as a result.”
Glenwood added six more runs across the final two innings, further sparking the lineup heading into next weekend. Campbell added another double off the fence, and Cal Lawrence knocked him in with an RBI single. In the sixth and final inning, Carter Judah legged an RBI triple, Kade Cox finished his stellar day with an RBI double, Campbell drove in another with a single and Wilkinson topped it off with an RBI groundout.
Fanning was pleased with his team’s relentless offensive approach in each game, but he acknowledged that his pitchers weren’t at their best against a stubborn Montgomery lineup.
Starting Game 1, Cooper Favors worked around eight hits but still allowed four runs across five innings. Rhett English started game two and went 4 2/3 innings while giving up five runs on six hits. Peter Sfkanios took the mound in relief and retired the last four hitters while allowing one hit and striking out one to end the game.
He noted that the tight strike zone in the first game contributed to Favors habitually falling behind in counts, while English simply couldn’t escape a troublesome fifth inning. Nonetheless, the coach voiced confidence in his pitchers’ abilities to bounce back.
“They have three or four hitters that can really swing the bat, and they made us pay when we were behind in the count,” Fanning said. “[English] is a young guy who’s just never been in this position, but I know one thing — he’s a very focused, driven young man. Both of these guys will do everything in their power to be better next week.”
On Thursday, April 30, Glenwood will travel to Wicksburg High School for a round two doubleheader, starting at 4:30 p.m. CST. If they split the doubleheader, game three will be on Friday, May 1, at 5 p.m.
