Wednesday, July 28, 2004

WR Legion squares off in Area C District Tournament

Wins in seven out of last ten games

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By JAMES CORDES
Express Staff Correspondent

With a shaky regular season wrapped up, the Wood River American Legion baseball squad is looking to take some momentum into the Area C legion district tournament that begins today in American Falls.

With wins in seven out of their last ten games, the legion squad just might have the confidence they need heading into the tournament.

"We have a decent seed, some really hot bats, and our pitching is really coming around at the right time." Coach Eli Lloyd said.

Wood River (#6 seed) will face off against the #11 seed in eastern Idaho today at 12:30 (which team they will face was not available by press time).

Although Wood River is ranked below five strong opponents, Lloyd is confident they can play with anyone when they’re hitting on all cylinders.

"Upper Valley, Marsh Falls, Buhl and Bear Lake are the teams to watch out for in the tournament," Lloyd said. "But we’ve been playing them tough all year."

Wood River enters the tournament with a 16-9-1 record in Area C, including a doubleheader sweep of Idaho Falls last Friday at Founder’s Field. Hot hitting from Billy Kramer, Morgan Uhrig, Derek Abbott, and Dylan Fullmer helped produce those wins.

On the hill, the team will look for consistent pitching from Steve Hansen, Huston Brashears, Tyson Reynoso, and Kramer to shut down their opponents.

The Area C tournament goes through the weekend, with the top teams advancing to the state legion tournament held in Idaho Falls, July 30-August 3.

On Friday, Wood River took two games from visiting Idaho Falls by scores of 10-9 (eight innings) and 9-0. Reynoso came into the first game to pitch in the eighth inning and was credited with the win, boosting his record to 3-1.

Idaho Falls’ four-run seventh frame sent the game into extra innings with the score 8-8. Another run in the top of the eighth for the visiting team forced Wood River to rally for two runs in the bottom half for the win. Ben Molyneux’s walk-off fielder’s choice brought in the winning run, scored by Derek Abbott. Hansen also contributed with a 4-5 day.

Game two saw Wood River put up six runs in the first two innings, then cruise to victory. Uhrig was 1-2 with two walks and two runs. Jonathan Dittmer also scored two runs, while going 1-2. On the mound, Brashears collected his fourth victory of the season (4-1) with a three hit win, enticing 12 groundball outs.

 

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