3/22/17
WF West 9, Kelso 3
(Chehalis, WA) The visiting Hilanders came in with an 0-2 record and had only scored 2 runs. They were looking to kick start their offense against the Bearcats. WF West opened the season with a win but dropped one to RA Long and were looking for more consistency.
After a late start due to a rain shower and tarp on the field Kelso struck first with a big 3-run 2nd inning. Caden Silva got things started with a 1-out single followed by a single from Jace Dickson. After a strike-out John Roberts then grounded one to Bearcat shortstop Drew Forgione who couldn’t dig out the ball and everyone was safe as Silva scored to give Kelso a 1-0 lead. Max McDaniel then belted a 2 run double and the Hilanders led 3-0 after an inning and a half.
The Bearcats would get their offense revved up in the 3rd. Tysen Paul walked with 1 out and Camden Bull came in to pinch run for the Chehalis catcher. Bull wasted little time in swiping 2nd which was followed by a walk to Max Miller. Forgione would lay down a perfect bunt to load the bases and Tyson Guerrero lined a shot into the outfield scoring Bull to get the Bearcats on the board. Bull’s stolen base was named our ProActive Physical Therapy Play of the Game as it kicked started a scoring onslaught that the Hilanders would never recover.
Bearcat starting pitcher Dakota Hawkins then flied one to center scoring Miller followed by a walk to Tyler Pallas. Brock Jones then worked a walk of his own forcing in a 3rd run while giving Jones an RBI and the Cats were back even with Kelso 3-3.
The Bearcats would take the lead in the 4th and never look back scoring 4 on a 2-out rally. Kelso starting pitcher Peyton Noah looked like he would roll through the 4th with 2 quick outs but then gave up a hit to Miller followed by a walk to Forgione and Guerrero to load the bases. Hawkins, who was pulled from the pitcher’s mound and moved back to his regular infield position at 3rd was more than ready to help his relief, Adrian Boites, with a rip into the left-center gap for a 2-run double.
This would do it for Noah and Ben Bergonzine came in to relieve him but Tyler Pallas greeted him with a solid single that scored 2 more and the Cats went up 7-3. WF West would add 2 more in the bottom of the 6th and it was Boites helping his own cause smacking a 2-run base hit and the Bearcats closed it out for the 9-3 win. WF West improves to 2-1 while Kelso drops to 0-3.
Our Tommy Lowe of Greene Realty Players of the Game went to Dakota Hawkins for WF West and Caden Silva for Kelso.
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