Taking an early lead before blowing the game open in the second and third innings, the W.F. West baseball team took the opening game of its season series with rival Centralia at Ed Wheeler Field Friday afternoon, 15-1 in five innings.
The Bearcats had a strong day at the plate, racking up nine hits and scoring 12 of their 15 runs in the second and third innings.
Lane Sahlin was a highlight, going 3 for 3 with three runs scored, two RBIs, and a crushed home run into left field to really blow the game open in the third. Evan Stajduhar added a bases-clearing triple with a run scored as well.
On the mound, Connor Coleman went three innings, giving up just one hit, walking three, and striking out five batters. Nate Dahlin stepped in out of the bullpen to pitch the final two innings, giving up one hit with a walk and one earned run.
Centralia’s lone hits came from Brady Sprague, who hit a double, and Kellen Rooklidge. Starter Moshie Eport went two innings, allowing six runs — with three earned — on two hits and three walks.
W.F. West will look to build on its undefeated start to the 2A Evergreen Conference season with a huge matchup against defending state champion Tumwater on the road Tuesday, while the Tigers take on Black Hills back at Wheeler, with both games set to start at 4:30 p.m.
