Four games in two days resulted in a 2-2 mark for Wood River American Legion baseball team, which made coach Matt Nelson pretty happy.
"We are two games up on where we were last season," Nelson said, whose squad opened the 2007 season with a 10-6 (win) and 10-3 (loss) at home against Buhl Wednesday.
At Twin Falls on Thursday, the Wolverines rallied from a 5-3 deficit and scored four runs in the fifth frame to win 8-7. The Bruins then claimed the nightcap 11-6 in five innings.
"The boys are starting to figure out how I like to play and they are coming into their own," Nelson said. "We are also getting some great pitching performances."
Greg Wakefield earned the starting nod against the Bruins and Nelson said he did a "great job," in the opening game.
Pat Patterson got the ball in relief, and picked up his second win of the season. "Pat has been outstanding. He's been lights out," Nelson said.
In addition to three strong innings, Patterson (2-0) pulled off a nifty pickoff play at second to stifle a seventh-inning Twin Falls charge and end the game. The Bruins runner represented the game-winning run until Patterson nailed him.
Danny Kramer had a big game at the plate. Switched to the four-hole, Kramer responded with a 3-for-3 night (2 doubles) and belted the game-winning RBI, scoring Tyler Israel. Drew Anderson knocked three times as well with a triple. Kenny Cardona jacked a two-run homer to help put the Wolverines on top in the fifth.
Brian Bray and losing pitcher Israel pitched in the nightcap. Twin boosted off an eight-run second to win by five. Anderson and Israel recorded two hits each. Kramer tagged three.
Wood River hosted Burley Tuesday at Founders Field.
All-conference picks
Several Wolverines earned Great Basin Conference West All-Conference nods for their play in the high school prep season that wrapped up in May.
Eric Jacobson was a first- team selection at first base. Joining him on the list was left-fielder Michale Brunker.
Second-team honors went to Kenny Cardona for his play in outfield. Honorable Mention was garnered by third baseman Danny Kramer.
"Player of the Year," went to Minico's Matt Tracy.
