Wildcats are state playoffs bound
Woodland’s Ayden Ray and Cass’ Bentley Markley both homered and drove in two runs each, but it was a walk-off fielder’s choice off the bat of Jakiyon Porter in the bottom of the seventh that lifted host Woodland past Cass 3-2 in Thursday evening’s first game.
The win by the Wildcats secured a Class 5A state playoff berth for Woodland and eliminated the Colonels from state playoff contention.
Chase Carson, who also finished with two hits, scored the game winning run on Porter’s ground ball to short. Conner Stermer also had two hits including a double for the Wildcats.
Stermer (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 1BB) collected the pitching win by working a scoreless top of the seventh. Hunter Shirley (6 IP, 2ER, 4H, 2BB, 5K) started on the mound for Woodland and struck out five.
Hayden Cole (1.1 IP, 2ER, 2H, 2BB, 3K) took the pitching loss for Cass in relief of starter Cayden Roberts (5 IP, 1ER, 4H, 2BB, 2K).
Cole, Chase Botts, and Andrew Middleton added one hit each for the Colonels.
In Game 2, Woodland scored nine runs in the first two innings then added four runs late to complete a three-game sweep of Cass 13-6.
Rowan Billings had two hits including a double and three RBIs to lead the Woodland offense in the nightcap. Nine other Wildcats added one hit each including Hunter Shirley, Jacob Gravett (double, 3 RBIs), Jakiyon Porter, Julian Wright, Zach Lambert (RBI), Conner Stermer, Bret Good, Austin Sanders, and Noah Herring. Nate Rosser drove in one run.
The Woodland pitching duties were spread among seven different hurlers.
Nate Rosser (0.2 IP, 1ER, 0H, 4BB), Logan Bentley (1.1 IP, 1ER, 2H), Jacob Gravett (1 IP, 1R, 0ER, 1H, 2K), Jackson Rutledge (1 IP, 2ER, 2H, 1BB), Ayden Ray (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 2K), Coby Barrett (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 1K), and Austin Sanders (1 IP, 1R, 0ER, 0H, 2BB, 2K) all pitched for the Wildcats.
Aiden Larkin had two hits for Cass in Game 2 including a triple. Connor Jenkins hit a solo home run in the second inning. Carson Hill (RBI) and Hayden Cole contributed one hit each. Nic Wright, Wesley Collins, and Chase Botts added one RBI apiece.
Similar to Woodland, Cass utilized five pitchers in the finale’.
Chase Botts (1 IP, 6ER, 2H, 3BB, 1K), Devan Hutchinson (1.2 IP, 3R, 1ER, 3H, 1BB, 2K), Aiden Larkin (1.1 IP, 0R, 3H, 1K), Hunter Lovett (1 IP, 1ER, 1H, 2BB, 2K), and Connor Jenkins (1 IP, 3R, 1ER, 2H, 1BB, 3K) all pitched for the Colonels.
Cass finished the season 5-25 overall and 4-11 in Region 7-5A.
Woodland (14-16, 7-8) advances to the GHSA State Playoffs as a No. 4 seed. The Wildcats will open the state playoffs next Wednesday at St. Pius X. The Golden Lions (20-9, 15-1) are the Region 5-5A champions.
The best-of-three first round series will begin with a doubleheader. If a third game is needed, it will be played at St. Pius X on Thursday. Starting times will be determined later this week.
Kommentare