Sports
Baseball: Waterford Trounces Trimble
By: Alex Harrison
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No, Waterford did not beat Trimble in football for a third time, the 17-3 final from Tuesday is a baseball score.
The Wildcats won in a mercy ruled five innings. Only one would have worked, too.
Trimble starting pitcher Gary Brooks retired only one batter, the leadoff Isaac Huffman. Unfortunately for Brooks and Trimble, it was during Huffman’s second at bat of the inning.
Twelve runs came across for Waterford in the first inning. Huffman led off with a double and Bryce Hilverding followed with one of his own, but Huffman could only advance to third. Braden Bellville took care of the base running issue.
Bellville launched a shot over the fence in left field. Three batters for Waterford meant three runs and it only continued. Bellville doubled later in the first inning and scored two more Wildcat runs.
Brooks was pulled after giving up 11 runs on seven hits and three walks. Max Hooper took to the mound and settled the game as much as possible.
Hooper finished the first inning and pitched the entire second frame. Hooper allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks. Damien Young finished the final two innings on the mound for the Tomcats, allowing two runs on four hits and walk. Young recorded the only two strikeouts for the Trimble pitchers.
Trimble batters scored one run in the third, fourth and fifth innings as Waterford cycled through pitchers.
The Wildcats used the lopsided score to get players in the game. Four pitchers went to the mound to get work and pinch hitters surfaced.
The extra practice was necessary for some Wildcats. Some players were members of the basketball team that made a tournament run to the Regional Semi-finals. Waterford’s basketball season ended 11 days before the start of the baseball season. Players on both teams have only been on the field with the team for two weeks.
Trimble (2-2) has young players and experience needs to be built. The Tomcats have that opportunity on Thursday against the winless Federal Hocking Lancers.
Waterford (5-1) has outscored opponents 42-5 in the last three games. The Wildcats will visit Miller on Thursday followed by a double header against Crooksville on Saturday.