By JAMES CORDES
Express Correspondent
The Jerome Tigers American Legion baseball squad escaped Hailey with a doubleheader sweep of Wood River at Founders Field Tuesday night—but just barely and probably thanks to some bad weather.
Down six runs by an 8-2 score in the fifth inning of the second game, Wood River (6-6, 3-5 Area C) chipped away for five two-out runs to cut the Jerome lead to 8-7.
However, half an inning later, lightning lit up the Hailey sky and the game was called, handing the Tigers a 8-7 victory based on five completed innings of the nightcap.
Wood River's fifth-inning rally was sparked by two hit batters and two visiting team errors.
With two outs, Wood River's senior catcher Jimmy Pierson (2-for-3, 4-for-6 for the doubleheader) knocked an RBI infield single.
Casey Hawkes (2-for-3, triple, 3 RBI) followed that with a two-run single to right field, cutting the lead to one at 8-7 in favor of Jerome.
Picking up the pitching loss for Wood River was Eric Jacobson (1-2), who allowed six hits through five frames. Catcher Derek Abbott added an RBI single for Wood River.
In game one, Wood River couldn't find its offense and collected only five hits in its Founders Field summer debut, falling to Jerome 4-1. Brady Black got the pitching victory for Jerome (8-5, 6-4 league).
Pierson ripped a double and a triple in the losing effort. On the hill, Tyler Thiede (0-2) scattered six hits and struck out seven Tigers, with only three of the Jerome runs earned.
Wood River travels to the Marsh Falls American Legion Tournament this weekend.
Games are scheduled for Thursday, June 23 vs. Upper Valley at 1 pm, followed by another contest against Highland of Pocatello Thursday at 3 p.m. On Friday, Wood River plays Bear Lake at 1 p.m. and Saturday, a final game against Idaho Falls is set for 9 a.m.
Next Tuesday Wood River entertains the tough Buhl Tribe (8-3) for a 4 p.m. Founders Field twinbill.
Tyler Thiede pitched well in a losing effort against Jerome, allowing six hits and striking out seven in the opening game.
