Horizon baseball rides three-game streak

Dufur starter Cole Parke scattered eight hits over his five innings of work. The right-hander took a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the fifth after a 20-minute rain delay. But two hits and two Ranger errors helped Horizon tie the game.

Dufur reliever Boone Little gave up three hits and two runs in the bottom of the sixth. The two-run cushion was more than enough for Anthony, who shut down the Rangers in order in the seventh. That was in contrast to Anthony’s sixth inning when the senior righty had to pitch out of a bases-loaded jam. Anthony’s six outs over the two innings were all strikeouts.

Anthony came on in relief of starter Mitch Engel, who struck out 10, walked four and allowed three hits over five innings. Engel showed great control with his breaking ball and allowed one earned run.

“I thought Dufur had us again,” Horizon coach Joe Petshow said, referring to a Ranger 7-5 win April 10 over the Hawks earlier this season. “Parke did his job, keeping the game close. But they had one bad inning and we were able to take advantage.”

Engel’s effort was the third stellar pitching performance in as many games for Horizon. The doubleheader sweep against Sherman included a four-hit, 6-2 win from junior Jake Wells. The 6-foot-7 right-hander struck out seven and walked one in seven innings. Engel had two hits in that game, and Anthony scored four runs and stole seven bases.

Anthony pitched a five-hitter and struck out 12 in the first game, a 5-3 Hawk win. He outdueled Sherman lefty Ben Holliday. He kept Horizon hitters off-balance with his off-speed pitches, but was hurt by four Husky errors.

“Sherman is well-coached and has had some tough losses this season — games that could have easily been wins for them,” Petshow said. “I think we were fortunate to put together timely at-bats, especially in that first game.”

Today’s doubleheader begins at 11 a.m. at Collins Field.