By JAMES CORDES
Express Correspondent
Wood River American Legion's pitcher Eric Jacobson didn't have much time to think about the five runs Buhl had put on him in the seventh inning of game one.
He went right back on the bump for game two and delivered the gem the Wranglers (10-9) needed, getting them back on the winning track with a 14-4, five-inning victory over the Indians in league play this Tuesday at Founders field.
"He really got rolling in the second game and competed the entire way," head coach Eli Lloyd said. "After the tough loss in game one, he responded the right way in game two."
Backed up by an offense that found steam for the second game of the twin bill, Jacobson gave up four second-inning runs to the rival Indians. But 1-2-3 innings in both the fourth and fifth-innings helped Jacobson cruise to the win.
A seven-run first-inning for Wood River helped erase any fears of a double-header Buhl sweep. Back-to-back triples by junior Danny Kramer (2 RBI's) and Jimmy Pierson (RBI, run), and another RBI-double by Pat Patterson helped fuel the offensive explosion.
Junior Casey Hawkes (three hits) delivered at the dish as well, knocking in 3 runs on two doubles. Trent Seamons also contributed three hits.
Game one at Founders saw a 4-4 ball game go into the final inning. Buhl scraped together a string of hits off of reliever Jacobson, who took over for starter Patterson the previous inning.
"Both team had chances the entire game, it was a just a matter of who was going to cash in first," Lloyd said. "They finally got their big inning and we just couldn't answer."
Offensively, Seamons had two hits in game one, leading to a 5-6 showing at the plate on the day. Veteran Tyler Thiede delivered with two hits as well.
Wood River hosted Shelley at Founders Field on Thursday. They continue action next Tuesday, July 5, against Highland of Pocatello at Founders.
Casey Hawkes watches one of his two doubles on the day drop in.
