Leyton Crane didn’t start Tuesday’s game for North Callaway but had a big moment.

Crane hit a two-RBI single to trigger a run-rule in the fifth inning for a 14-4 home win over Eastern Missouri Conference foe Louisiana (3-9, 2-6 EMO). North Callaway (14-5, 7-1 EMO) won the first of three conference games in three days. 

Chance Green started at first base, but the senior had to be removed as an injury precaution. Coltyn O’Neal moved from catcher to first base, and the junior varsity catcher Crane took over behind the plate. Crane went 2-for-3 with three RBIs despite the freshman having only one previous varsity plate appearance.

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“He’s a kid that has worked hard in practice,” head coach Kevin O’Neal said. “I’ve talked to him all year and said, ‘You’re going to get opportunities here and there. Make sure you take advantage of those when you do.’ He did that tonight.”

O’Neal said there are a lot of underclassmen on the roster and has been pleased with how each has seized opportunities. On the mound, North Callaway had two freshmen pitch, starting with Jude Shryock before being relieved by Logan Young.

Shryock went into Tuesday with a 2.33 ERA but struggled in the third inning. Young didn’t allow a hit in 2⅓ innings and struck out four strikeouts while allowing one earned run but walked five. O’Neal said Shryock didn’t have “his best stuff” but battled through his innings.

“What you’re going to get from younger guys are some walks here and there,” O’Neal said. “I thought they did a decent job of keeping their composure and working through that. They struggle through some of that as they’re really hard on themselves and try to be too perfect sometimes.”

O’Neal complimented his upperclassmen for having their backs. Tucker Sheets went 3-for-3 with one RBI, and Coltyn O'Neal had three stolen bases, three runs and two RBIs. 

Sheets actually encountered a slump recently, according to O’Neal, but has seen better things from his senior shortstop.

“The last three games, he’s come out of it and is back to where he was at the beginning of the year,” O’Neal said. “He’s back to being locked in. His confidence and approach at the plate has gotten better.”

Cody Kemp approached the plate his first two times with runners in scoring position. He knocked in a pair of runs each time to finish 2-for-4 with four RBIs to tie a career-high four RBIs he had in a win against Wellsville-Middletown this season. 

Kemp said he was just trying to take care of business when he stepped up in those situations and was surprised he had that many RBIs at the end of the game.

“I try to look for a pitch on the outside so I can drive it to right field,” Kemp said. “The runners have a chance to come home easier instead of to left, where they have to hustle more. I’m just keeping my hands inside it and driving it oppo(site field).”

O’Neal said Kemp has a knack for hitting with runners in scoring position. He even wondered about his average with runners in scoring position but is pretty sure it is good. 

“Cody’s done that all year,” O’Neal said. “I can’t say enough good things about him. He comes up with big hits in clutch situations a lot of times. He spends a lot of time in the cage, has a good approach at the plate and no moment is too big for him.”

Last year, Kemp was a freshman who had 49 varsity plate appearances. He said that experience helped him be more “level-headed” and “prepared” at the plate this year. 

Kemp said the biggest thing that has grown from last year is confidence. He was in the freshmen’s position but is happy to be a mentor for them.

“With the younger guys, there’s a lot more joking around and a lot more energy,” Kemp said. “I feel like I can talk to them well and explain to them what’s going on. They get me because I’m a player with them — just a year older.”

O’Neal said North Callaway has to be even better the next two conference games against some fundamentally sound teams. The Thunderbirds play at Clopton (9-6, 2-3 EMO) at 5 p.m. today before another road conference game at 5 p.m. Thursday at Silex (11-3, 4-3 EMO). 

“Coach (Dean) Streed at Clopton, I coached against him many years ago when he was at Bowling Green,” O’Neal said. “I know they’re going to be fundamentally sound and play the game the right way. Coach (Kent) Hufty at Silex is another who has been around for a long time and coaches baseball the right way.”