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Down 3-0 before taking the plate for the first time, the Whitko baseball team had to come from behind to continue its hot start to the season on Tuesday night, rallying to defeat Wawasee 11-3 at home in a four-inning game that was shortened due to weather and lighting. Through five games this season, the Wildcats have scored double digit runs in each of them.
Just three pitches were thrown by Whitko starter Daton Day before a lightning delay interrupted the contest for nearly an hour. When the action finally resumed, it was clear that the long layoff had impacted the Wildcat hurler. Day walked or hit four of the first five hitters he faced, and the Warriors were happy to take advantage on the basepaths. Wawasee plated three runs in the top of the first, with Garrett Tittle hitting an RBI single and Logan Hoffer earning an RBI by getting plunked with the bases loaded.
The bottom half of the frame looked a bit different, as Warrior starter Kyhan Heisler struck out two of the three hitters he faced to open the game, going three up, three down. Returning to the bump in the top of the second, Day fared much better. The junior worked around putting a pair on base, striking out two to keep it a 3-0 ballgame.
Heisler picked up right where he left off in the bottom of the second, retiring the side in order once more, picking up his third strikeout of the day. Wawasee threatened to extend their lead once again in the top of the third, putting two men on for the second straight inning. But, Day was able to mitigate the damage yet again to pitch his second straight scoreless inning and keep his team in striking distance.
The bottom of the third looked to be business as usual for Heisler, as he struck out the first three hitters he faced in the inning. However, by virtue of the dropped third strike, Brenden Bradley was able to reach first to become Whitko’s first baserunner of the game., From there, things devolved rapidly. Bradley eventually came around to score on a wild pitch. Two hitters later, an error on an infield popup kept the rally alive.
Still hitless in the game, the Wildcats made the most of their second trip through the lineup. Following the misplay, the next four hitters went on to record hits, with Chase Miller, Lewis Skinner and Cooper Laukhuf all registering RBIs. Despite the miserable start to the game at the dish, Whitko had rallied to take a 5-3 lead heading into the fourth.
With Chandler Cox taking over on the mound to begin the following inning, Wawasee leadoff hitter Everett Guy gave him a rude welcome by hitting a leadoff double. He’d eventually make to third, while the game’s tying run, Ryan Mack, reached second after being hit by a pitch. However, Cox was able to settle in from here, striking out the next three hitters he saw to hold the visitors scoreless.
The Wildcats extended their lead in a big way their next time up, thanks to some more big swings. Bradley began the scoring on a wild pitch, and two batters later, leadoff man Hunter Long unloaded on a ball, sending it over the left field fence for a two-run home run. Whitko wasn’t done there, as Skinner hit an RBI double for the second straight inning, which was followed up by an RBI bunt single by Cox. When the dust settled, the ‘Cats had added six more runs and led 11-3.
That ended up being the final score of the game, as it was called moments later due to darkness.
Whitko (4-1) hosts Woodlan on Wednesday, while Wawasee (0-2) is at East Noble on Friday.
