GLEN CARBON - Father McGivney Catholic’s offense exploded early and often Wednesday as the Griffins rolled past Jacksonville Routt Catholic 13-3 behind a huge day from Isaac Wendler.
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Wendler blasted two home runs and drove in five runs to lead the way for Father McGivney at home. He got the scoring started in the bottom of the first after Omar Avalos launched a two-run homer to right field.
Wendler followed with a two-run shot of his own to left field, and Grant Reed added another run with an RBI lineout as the Griffins jumped ahead 5-0.
The Griffins kept the momentum going in the second inning, plating five more runs on six hits. Avalos doubled in a run, Wendler delivered a two-run single, Jacoby Danco added a sacrifice fly, and Patrick Gierer singled home another run to extend the lead to 10-0.
Routt Catholic managed to get on the board, but Father McGivney stayed in complete control. Wendler added his second homer of the day in the fifth inning with a solo blast to left field, putting an exclamation point on his standout performance.
Danco earned the win on the mound, allowing just one hit and two unearned runs over four innings while striking out two and walking three.
Lucas Perich came on in relief for the Griffins. Jacob Brown took the loss for Routt Catholic after surrendering seven runs, six earned, in one inning.
Father McGivney totaled 14 hits in the win, with Jack Rolves, Gierer, and Avalos each collecting multiple hits.
The Griffins also put pressure on the bases, stealing eight total bases, with both Gierer and Avalos swiping multiple bags.
Brown led Routt Catholic offensively, going 1-for-3 with an RBI, while Talon Thompson and Bryson Mossman also added hits for the Rockets.