Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 DECATUR – Sophomores James Lear and Kramer Hollenbach drove in three runs apiece and 14th-ranked Northwest split a doubleheader Tuesday at East Central to move to 3-1 on the young season.

Sophomore Taylor King continued his hot start with three doubles in the two games to give him five for the season and the team a whopping 16 through their first four games.

In the opener, Stephen Sexton's sac fly gave Northwest a 1-0 lead in the second before a three-run third inning put ECCC in front for the first time 3-1. Ben Cooley and Dylan Little each hit solo home runs in the inning, with Lane Fazende adding an RBI-double. 

East Central put it away in the sixth after the Rangers pulled within 4-2, plating four runs off four hits and an error, including a leadoff homer from Fazende.

Northwest added single runs in the seventh and ninth to make the final 8-4.

The Warriors out-hit Northwest 12-6 in the game but committed five errors. Both teams stranded seven.

Cory Kitchens went six innings and allowed two runs off four hits for the win, while Domenick Carlini was tagged with the loss after allowing eight runs (five earned) off 10 hits while striking out three. 

Seven different Rangers picked up a hit in the finale and Northwest broke open what was a 4-2 game with a five-run sixth inning. James Lear, Jay King and Stuart Chick had two hits apiece. 

Cody Waddell went six innings, allowing four runs (all unearned) off five hits and striking out three for the win. Peter Barton made his collegiate debut and tossed a scoreless seventh. Kale Fultz took the loss.   

Northwest will host Lake Land on Friday in a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at Jim Miles Field.

Live stats available here: www.sidearmstats.com/northwestms/baseball.