"We're finally starting to hit the ball, get on base and come up with big hits when we need them," Wood River High School baseball coach Matt Nelson said Wednesday following his teams victory the day before over Filer.
Right-hander Bryan Bray (1-1) collected his first pitching win and got plenty of hitting support from the suddenly-hot Wood River attack in an 11-1 five-inning road victory over the Wildcats (3-10). Bray allowed four hits, whiffed three batters and didn't walk anybody.
It was the third consecutive win and fourth in five games for Wood River (6-9, 2-2 league), which won for the first time in a month on the road. In the last five games the Wolverines have averaged 9.0 runs a game on offense and 4.6 defense compared to 5.4/6.7 season totals.
They capitalized on free passes and timely hitting at Filer and built a 9-1 lead after two at-bats. Two Wildcat errors, four walks and a Danny Kramer RBI grounder made it 4-1 after one. Kyle Rose singled, Kenny Cardona (2 hits) ripped a three-run double and Tyler Israel (2 hits, 3 RBI) delivered a two-run single boosting the lead to 9-1.
"Kenny has been solid for us all year," Nelson said. "And Tyler has been swinging a hot bat."
Kramer finished with two hits, Erik Jacobson hit safely and walked three times, Pat Patterson added a run-scoring double and Trent Seamons chipped in with a RBI single.
Wood River entertains undefeated and #2-ranked Jerome (14-0, 3-0 league) Monday in a home league contest at Founders Field. The Wolverines and Jerome tangle again Tuesday on the Jerome diamond. Host Jerome beat Minico (12-6, 1-2) in a close 1-0 pitcher's duel Tuesday in the opener of a home-and-home.
Burley and Minico square off April 24-25 to finalize seedings for the four-team league tournament starting May 3.
