Trailing 4-2 heading into the top of the seventh inning, W.F. West exploded for six runs to come away with an 8-4 come-from-behind victory over Rochester on the road Wednesday.
The Bearcats were led offensively by Kolby Hansen, who was 2-for-2 with a run scored and two walks. Max Taylor was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run, while Drew Reynolds drove in two runs. Andrew Stafford threw 2 ⅔ innings for the Bearcats and struck out two batters.
Rochester, holding the 4-2 lead, let a ground ball go through the infield with the bases loaded that could have ended the game with a double play. The Warriors finished with four errors on the day.
Rochester was led offensively by Reed Mason, who hit a bases-clearing double, drove in three runs and was 1-for-2 at the plate. Braden Hartley drove in one run and scored a run, and Tate Quarnstrom was 1-for-3 hitting. Tony Groninger went 6 ⅓ innings on the mound with two strikeouts.
“That kid competed his butt off for us today,” Rochester coach Brad Quarnstrom said. “I can’t complain about the effort. Tony did everything for us to be competitive in this game.”
Rochester falls to 1-1 overall and travels to Tumwater on Friday. W.F. West improves to 2-0 and hosts Tumwater on Monday.
Centralia ran its win streak to two games with a 14-3 drubbing of Aberdeen at home on Wednesday.
Noah Aliff struck out six batters in three innings of work on the mound and Moshi Eport fanned two in two innings. Aliff also led the Tigers with three hits, while Benito Valencia added two hits and Cameron Erickson had a big two-run double in the first inning.
“We’ve got some things to work on,” Centralia first-year coach Adam Riffe said. “We need better adjustments at the plate. Too many strikeouts.. We’re swinging the bats reality well. I’m happy with the kids, so far.”
Centralia (2-0) travels to Shelton on Friday.
