WATKINS - The Williamsburg Red Sox received terrific pitching all day and swept a doubleheader from Watkins, 1-0 and 7-0, on the opening day of the 2018 Iowa Valley League campaign.

Lucas Robbins and Zach Kammin combined on a shutout in Game 1, foiling a strong effort by Luke Franzenburg on the mound for Watkins. Robbins and Kammin struck out seven batters. Franzenburg pitched a five-hitter, but was saddled with a tough loss.

Williamsburg scored the only run in the game in the third inning. Truman Schmidt singled and Nolan Arp produced a game-winning RBI single.

Luke Farley had two doubles for Watkins. Nick Suppel had two hits for Williamsburg.

Tanner Jensen struck out seven batters for Williamsburg in the 7-0 shutout in the second game. Neil Marshall had two hits and two RBIs. Suppel had a double.

Addison Johnson had two hits for Watkins. Evan Boddicker allowed only two earned runs for the Mudhens.

STARS, WALFORD SPLIT TWINBILL

WALFORD - The Stars and Walford split a doubleheader Sunday, with each team winning a 4-3 ballgame.

The Stars took the opener in eight innings. The game was locked in a scoreless battle through seven innings. The Stars scored four times in the top of the eighth, then Walford countered with three runs in the bottom of the eighth before falling short.

Austin Czerwiec, who was the Outstanding Pitcher in the IVL last season, pitched five scoreless innings for the Stars in Game 1. Ben Milks picked up the victory in relief and Cody Bell got the save.

The Stars scored their four runs on singles by Devin Holmes and Tyler Dralle, along with a walk and hit batter. Walford rallied in the bottom of the eighth with a single by Parker Ridge, a double by Manny Jeffrey and a two-run double by Zack Stone.

Jeffrey had four hits for Walford. Tristan Ledger pitched 7 2/3 strong innings for Walford, but took the loss.

Chase Rath had a big game for Walford in their 4-3 victory in the nightcap. He struck out 14 batters and also scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh when he doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly to snap a 3-3 tie.

Jeffrey had two more hits for Walford, giving him six base-hits in the twinbill. Cody Williams had two hits for the Stars.

STANDINGS

Williamsburg     2-0
Norway           2-0
Walford          1-1
Stars            1-1
Watkins          0-2
Red Top          0-2

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK - Tony Salato (Norway) & Manny Jeffrey (Walford)
PITCHER OF THE WEEK - Chase Rath (Walford)

SCHEDULE FOR JUNE 3

Red Top at Stars, at Mount Mercy, 1
Walford at Williamsburg, 1
Watkins at Norway, 5