Morrison Breaks Hastings' Single-Season Home Run Record in Game 2 Blowout
(Forest City, IA) – On day two of a four-game series against Waldorf on Sunday, the Broncos began with a 10-6 loss in game one. In the 21-10 game two win, junior Evan Morrison hit two home runs, with the second being his 12th of the season – breaking the single-season school record. The 21 runs in game two is the most runs scored by the Broncos since 2016.
(Forest City, IA) – On day two of a four-game series against Waldorf on Sunday, the Broncos began with a 10-6 loss in game one. In the 21-10 game two win, junior Evan Morrison hit two home runs, with the second being his 12th of the season – breaking the single-season school record. The 21 runs in game two is the most runs scored by the Broncos since 2016.
Hastings struck first in game one, as seniors Tristan Martinez and Jace Valdez got in scoring position with one out in the second inning and Martinez scored on a ball put in play by sophomore Cody Haynes to go up 1-0. Waldorf answered back with five runs in the bottom of the second to take a 5-1 lead.
In the third inning, singles by Morrison and sophomore Peighton Vargas put runners at the corners with one out. Senior Spencer Searcey doubled in Morrison, then with senior Ben Richter courtesy running for Vargas, he and Searcey scored on a Warrior error to make it 5-4. In the bottom of the third with two on and two out, Waldorf hit a three-run home run to go up 8-4.
Freshman Diego Martinez walked to start the fourth and scored on a two-run home run hit by Morrison. Waldorf got a run back in the bottom half of the fourth on an RBI-double to grab a 9-6 advantage. The Warriors added another run in the fifth and the Broncos were held without a hit in the final three innings, giving Waldorf the 10-6 win.
In game two, Morrison drew a leadoff walk and junior Jared Delgado followed him up with a single. T. Martinez drove in Delgado on a base hit and junior Joshren Mace Magnaye hit a three-run home run to take a 4-0 lead.
The next three Broncos in the first singled, with the final single by freshman Jake Sweet knocking in a run, then with the bases loaded, Morrison blasted a grand slam to get a 9-0 lead. Delgado doubled, then T. Martinez and Mace Magnaye hit back-to-back home runs, marking the third and fourth home runs of the inning to go up 12-0.
With two outs in the bottom of the first, a two-out walk by Waldorf was followed by a two-run home run, making it 12-2. Junior Nick Deterding hit the fifth Bronco home run of the game in the second inning on a solo shot to take a 13-2 lead. Waldorf scored a run on an error in the third, making it 13-3.
Hastings had two runners on base with one out in the fourth and Morrison hit his second of the game and set the single-season record for most home runs in a season on the three-run shot. Delgado and T. Martinez got on base soon after and into scoring position, then scored on a balk and a Mace Magnaye RBI-groundout to go up 18-3.
Waldorf scored a run in the fifth to make it 18-4, then extended the game by hitting a grand slam and solo home run in the seventh, getting to within nine at 18-9.
Morrison walked and Delgado was hit by a pitch to start the eight. After a double-steal, Morrison scored on a groundout by T. Martinez and senior Kaden Steen drove in Delgado on a groundout. Later in the inning with runners on the corners, Sweet scored D. Martinez on an RBI-single for their 21st run. Waldorf hit a home run with two outs in the eighth to make it a 21-10 final.
The trio of Morrison, Mace Mangaye, and T. Martinez combined to drive in 16 runs. Morrison was 2-4 with two walks, four runs scored, and seven RBIs – all coming on the two home runs. Mace Magnaye went 2-5 with a home run, two runs scored, and five RBIs. T. Martinez led the team in hits, going 3-5, scoring three runs and driving in four.
Freshman pitcher Cameron Dahlgren got the win in game two, throwing six innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits, striking out three.
Up next, Hastings will host Doane in a four-game series on April 18-19 for Bronco Baseball Weekend, with Senior Day occurring on Saturday. Games will start at 1 and 3:30pm on Saturday.
