Friday, July 16, 2004

Wranglers take two off Twin

American Legion baseball

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The Wood River Wranglers busted up their losing streak in a big way.

Facing Twin Falls at Founder’s Field Wednesday, the Wranglers (15-12) posted a pair of 4-1 and 10-5 victories over the Cowpokes to put the brakes on a three-game skid.

"It was a solid effort," coach Eli Lloyd said. "It was a good to bounce back from the tournament and pick up a couple of wins."

Behind the solid pitching of Chance Elam, Twin Falls outhit Hailey 6-4 in the opener. The Wranglers posted two runs in the second off RBI singles by Huston Brashears and Jimmy Pierson and tacked on two unearned runs in the fifth to outpace the ‘Pokes. Morgan Uhrig and Jonathan Dittmer also knocked hits off Elam.

Pitcher Tyler Theide picked up the win. Kenny Cardona notched the save.

Cardona started the nightcap and went five innings before Pierson relieved him in the sixth and nabbed the win.

Trailing 3-1 in the fifth, Wood River busted out for an eight-run, two-out rally.

Leadoff man Brady Femling drew a walk. Dittmer (2 hits) singled, Uhrig (2 doubles) walked, Billy Kramer (2 hits) singled, and Derek Abbott reached on an infield error. Theide plated two on a monstrous double off the left-center wall. Ted Dankanyin and Ben Molyneux followed up Theide’s game-breaking hit with singles and runs. Dylan Fullmer also knocked twice in the contest.

"It was a rush. I was happy with the way they responded. Giving the solid pitching effort it was nice to see our guys respond offensively with timely hitting," Lloyd said.

With the wins, Wood River elevated its home record to 9-3. The Wranglers travel to eastern Idaho today for a doubleheader against Highland at Pocatello. Tomorrow, Hailey faces Marsh Falls for two games in American Falls.

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