For the first time in seven years, the Fort Campbell High School baseball program owns a two-game winning streak. The Falcons accomplished the feat by sweeping a home doubleheader Thursday against Russellville, winning by margins of 13-7 and 16-6 (in five innings) on post.
It’s the first time Fort Campbell has won back-to-back contests since May 15, 2015, when the Falcons defeated Dawson Springs twice during a three-day span. It’s also the first time FCHS has swept a double-dip since defeating Todd County Central and Dawson Springs in consecutive games on March 22, 2014.
In Game One, the Panthers and Falcons traded a half-dozen runs apiece during the first two innings. In the bottom of the fourth, Fort Campbell went ahead for good on Felipe Hernandez’ one-out RBI groundout that plated Angel Garcia. Then FCHS exploded for five insurance runs in the sixth inning to help pull away.
Junior leadoff hitter Aiden Blaszkowski did some damage atop the order. He finished 1-for-3 with a double, a walk, two runs and two RBIs. Blaszkowski also swiped a pair of bases, accounting for two of the Falcons’ 22 stolen bases as a squad. Garcia, Ethan Egner and Noah Herron each added two runs scored.
Sophomore Tyler Hansen had the most unique line score of the game. He finished 0-for-0 but walked four times and scored three runs. His four bases on balls were a game-high. Fort Campbell drew a total of 13 in the win.
While he had a solid night at the plate, Blaszkowski struggled on the mound. He gave up four hits, three walks and six earned runs before exiting in the second inning. Garcia (1-4) picked him up, however, recording 5 2/3 innings of relief to earn his first win of the year. During the appearance, Garcia allowed just two hits and a run while striking out four.
Russellville was led in Game One’s loss by seniors Milo Brooks and Khristian McCall, each of whom had two hits and two RBIs each. McCall (0-2) did earn the loss, allowing five walks, one hit and four runs (three earned) during his 2 1/3 innings of relief.
During Game Two of Thursday’s doubleheader, Fort Campbell got out to an even bigger start by scoring nine runs in its first at-bat. The Falcons sent 11 batters to the plate during the initial onslaught and got key RBI singles from Blaszkowski, Egner and Xavier Hoover.
Egner (1-3) did a little bit of everything in the second game. He struck out 10 and picked up his first victory of the season, scattering five hits and allowing three earned runs in five innings. He also went 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI out of the leadoff spot.
Andrew Haughenberry (2-for-4, three runs, RBI), Hoover (2-for-3, run, RBI) and Hernandez (1-for-2, two runs, RBI) also had strong offensive performances. Hernandez ended the game via mercy rule when he walked, stole second and third base, and scored on one of six Russellville errors.
The Panthers were led in defeat by Brooks, who was 3-for-3 with two runs. He did suffer the loss on the mound, though, allowing six hits, 11 runs (six earned) and four walks in two innings.
Fort Campbell will try for its third straight win when it hosts Caldwell County on April 22. The Falcons have won three games in a row since 2012.
