Wildcats earn win over Fairfield on Chris Veidt Field Dedication Day

MOWRYSTOWN — Friday was a big day for Whiteoak athletics and WHS baseball head coach Chris Veidt, as it was Chris Veidt Field Dedication Day at Whiteoak High School, and with that the Wildcats earned a 9-0 win over the Fairfield Lions. 

Before the Wildcats gained the Southern Hills Athletic Conference victory over their Highland County rival, Whiteoak held a ribbon cutting in dedicating the new turf field at WHS, named after their head coach of 35 years, Chris Veidt. The WHS skipper then threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game. 

Veidt spoke about the field dedication and the new all-turf baseball field. 

“This state-of-the-art facility would not be possible without the dedication of the Bright Local School District and its unwavering support of our students and staff. Superintendent Jason Iles, Treasurer Jeff Rowley and our school board took a dream and turned it into a reality for the betterment of all,” Veidt said. “From a personal standpoint, this field dedication is a culmination of unwavering family support, great players and a dedicated community and school administration. 

“This entire process has been about teamwork. Pardon the analogy. It is not about one person or athletic program. I have been blessed through the years to have strong family support, dedicated assistant coaches, talented players and a selfless school district that puts students and athletes first. We are truly blessed.”

As for the game, the Wildcats scored all nine of their runs in the first three innings, with a two-run first, then they added two more runs in the bottom of the second, and then came five more runs crossing the plate in the third inning. 

“What a special day for me and just a fantastic day to be a Wildcat. Kids have had a 3-0 SHAC week and were mentally ready from the start, after all the festivities, jumping out to a 2-0 lead,” Veidt said.

The Wildcats ended the game with six hits, as Jonah Michael was 2-for-4 with three RBI. Abe Flader finished 1-for-2 with three runs, one RBI, one walk, one hit by pitch and two steals. 

Lucas Pollard finished 1-for-2 with three RBI, one walk and one sacrifice. Christian Hite ended the day 1-for-1 plus he drew three walks, and he grabbed three steals. Jacob Kiley went 1-for-3 with a run, a double and one walk. 

Izayah Clift finished the game with two runs, one RBI, one walk, and he was hit by a pitch. Karson Arey ended the game with a run, one walk and a steal. Gabe Michael collected two runs, two walks and a steal. Caden Butler had one RBI, a walk and a sacrifice. 

On the mound, Arey pitched a complete game, pitching all seven innings. He allowed no runs on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts for his first win with the Wildcats. 

“Jonah Michael and Lucas Pollard each had a nice day offensively with three RBIs, and Christian Hite chipped in a 4/4 QAB (quality at-bat) day with a hit, three walks and three stolen bases,” Veidt said. “Karson Arey was in control the entire game with a three-hit shutout for his first Wildcat win.”

The Fairfield Lions totaled three hits with Zane Collins going 1-for-3. Ben Miller finished 1-for-2 with a walk and a steal. Weston Baldwin also was 1-for-3. 

Cameron Miller pitched for FHS as he went 2.1 innings, finishing with three strikeouts and no earned runs off three hits. Anderson Humphreys pitched 3.1 innings, with two strikeouts. 

The loss moved Fairfield to 2-3 in the SHAC Division II standings and 3-6 overall. Whiteoak is now 4-1 in the SHAC Division II standings (first place) and 3-6 overall. 

BOX SCORE
FHS    000 000 0 — 0 3 0 
WHS    225 000 x — 9 5 3 

On Thursday, April 9 the Whiteoak Wildcats defeated the Eastern Warriors 9-7 in a SHAC game at EHS. 

Whiteoak scored five runs in the top of the first inning, then followed that with a four-run second inning. After EHS scored a run in the bottom of the second, it was WHS leading 9-1. 

Eastern scored a run in the bottom of the third, then they added four runs in the bottom of the fourth and one run in the fifth. That run of scoring wasn't enough to catch Whiteoak as the Wildcats gained a two-run win. 

Jonah Michael was 2-for-3 with two runs, a double, three RBI and he was hit by a pitch. Abe Flader was 1-for-5 with a run, while teammate Izayah Clift was 1-for-3 as he scored two runs, forced a walk, was hit by a pitch, and he also collected three steals. 

Lucas Pollard finished 1-for-4 with one run, one RBI, and he had a steal. Jacob Kiley went 1-for-4 with a run, a double, two RBI and one walk. 

Gabe Michael ended the day at 1-for-3 with a double, one double, two RBI and one walk. Caden Butler was 1-for-4 with a steal. 

Pitching for Whiteoak were Jonah Michael (3.1 innings, one strikeout), Jude Michael (1.0 IP, three strikeouts, one hit, one earned run) and Gabe Michael (2.2 IP, two strikeouts, one walk, one hit, no runs). 

BOX SCORE
WHS    540 000 0 — 9 
EHS     011 410 0 — 7