Warren’s baseball team scored four first-inning runs on Friday and held off McDowell for a 6-4 Region 5 win.

After starting pitcher Eric Dippold threw a three-up, three-down top of the first, Ben Sowa and JT Blum opened with base hits to start the bottom half. Owen Blum singled to load the bases before Anthony Errett’s two-run single to right. Paul Smith’s line drive hit to left scored two more for a 4-0 Warren lead.

McDowell cut the lead to 4-2 before Errett delivered again, also with two outs. His RBI single to right made it 5-2 Warren. He knocked in Dippold who just missed a home run to center with his double off the fence.

A shaky fifth inning cut the Dragons’ lead to 5-4 before Errett scored on an error to make it 6-4.

“Obviously, a huge win for us,” said Warren coach Andrew Morrison, whose Dragons are 3-3 overall and 3-2 in the region. “Really nice to get out there after 11 days without playing. Our region is a bear; any win is a good win, but the boys definitely feel good about this one. I’m thrilled they get to see that their hard work in the gym is working.”

Errett finished 2-for-2 with a walk, two runs and three RBIs. Sowa also had two of Warren’s eight hits.

Dippold got the win, allowing one earned run on three hits over 4 2/3 innings with four walks and two strikeouts. Carson Farr finished it off, walking four, but not allowing a hit over the final 2 1/3 innings.

“Thrilled with our pitching and defense today,” said Morrison. “‘Dip’ did a great job mixing speeds and trusting his defense — really impressive job especially for a sophomore.

“Carson came in and shut the door again,” added Morrison. “He’s pitched in all three of our region wins in high-leverage situations and continues to come up huge.

“Defensively, it was easily our best game of the season,” he said. “Archie Teconchuk, Konnor Hoffman, and Brady Berdine were all over everything and Anthony Errett continues to be huge for us at first base. (Catcher) Gio (Elinsky) threw out two runners at third base, both late in the game. Offensively, it wasn’t the best performance we’ve had, but process-wise, we are still where we want to be. Ben Sowa continues to do a great job at the top of the order getting on base. Anthony had three great at bats to knock in three runs and Paul Smith had a huge hit to score two as well.

Back at it (Saturday), two more region games with LeBoeuf and Prep, both on the road.”