WELLSVILLE - The North Callaway Thunderbirds rapped out a season-high 22 hits in Wednesday night's 25-2 Eastern Missouri Conference dismantling of Wellsville in five innings.
North Callaway got off to an emphatic start, collecting 11 hits and sending 21 batters to the plate during a 16-run eruption in the top of the first inning. The Thunderbirds - winners of two in a row - improved to 5-7 overall and 3-4 in the EMO.
Wellsville tumbled to 0-7 on the season and 0-4 in conference play.
Sophomore shortstop J.T. Higgins went 3-for-3 with a double, two runs batted in and two runs scored to guide North Callaway. Sophomore catcher Wyatt Branson also finished 2-for-3 with a double, three RBI and scored twice, while senior backup catcher Trenton Early was 2-for-3 with two RBI.
Sophomore starter AJ Stubblefield also went 2-for-3 and scored two runs.
Stubblefield (2-1) collected the victory, scattering two hits over three scoreless innings. He struck out two and walked one.
The Thunderbirds (4-5) bowed in the junior varsity game 2-1.
North Callaway returns home for an EMO matchup against Montgomery County at 5 p.m. today. The Thunderbirds pounded the Wildcats 12-2 in five innings April 11 at Mokane.