Five Bearcats collected multiple hits as W.F. West shredded Class 3A Timberline, 16-6, in five innings on the road Friday in a non-league tuneup for the upcoming 2A Evergreen Conference playoffs.
It was an impressive win for the 12-1 overall Bearcats, who beat a Timberline team that entered 8-4 overall and is in second place in the 3A South Sound Conference.
The Bearcats went to work at the plate, smacking 16 total hits, led by Kolby Hansen’s 3-for-4 performance hitting with a double, a stolen base and two runs. Sophomore Gavin Fugate crushed a three-run homer, finishing with four RBI and two runs scored.
“It was nice to get our offense going,” W.F. West coach Bryan Bullock said. “Hopefully we can carry that into the playoffs and continue this for at least three more games next week.”
Also picking up multiple hits was Drayson Hilkemeier, who was 2-for-2 with a run scored. Senior Cade Haller was 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI, while senior catcher Drew Reynolds was 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs. Senior Max Taylor went 2-for-3, drove in a run and scored twice.
Senior Brit Lusk added a double and Tanner Vaughn smashed a triple.
The Bearcats were nearly as effective on the mound as Gabe Smitherman pitched two scoreless innings of two-hit ball for the win. Hunter Lutman struck out four while allowing two earned runs and walking five across three innings.
“The pitching staff did a nice job throwing strikes,” Bullock said.
No. 1 seed W.F. West hosts Black Hills at 4 p.m. Monday in the opening round of the 2A EvCo playoffs. The Bearcats swept the regular-season matchups with the Wolves, winning 12-2 and 5-0.
