North Callaway throttles Van-Far in EMO opener

The Thunderbirds exploded for 16 runs in the top of the first, demolishing the Indians 29-2 in five innings to open Eastern Missouri Conference play Tuesday night.

North Callaway (2-1) sent 22 batters to the plate and batted around twice in the opening inning to fuel its romp.

The Thunderbirds poured it on again by breaking out for 11 more runs in the third, before tallying lone runs in the fourth and fifth to end the game.

Van-Far (0-2, 0-1) scored once in the first and once in the fifth, finishing with just four hits.

"A lot of players got a lot of at-bats and a lot of quality playing time," North Callaway head coach Kevin O'Neal said.

Sophomore second baseman AJ Stubblefield was a home run short of the cycle, going 3-for-5 with four runs batted in and three runs scored as the Thunderbirds finished with 12 hits. Senior relief pitcher Zach McCowan was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and four runs scored.

McCowan surrendered only two hits in two scoreless innings, struck out three and walked one to pick up his first varsity win.

North Callaway (1-2) won the junior varsity game improved to 1-2 with a 5-0 win in the junior varsity game.

The Thunderbirds' home EMO game with Wright City, originally scheduled for Thursday, has been moved up to 5 p.m. today.