By Dan Truttschel~Sports Correspondent
Nothing seems to be routine when Wilmot and Westosha Central get together in an athletic competition.
And that certainly was the case when the two baseball teams met last week at Wilmot.
The Panthers rallied with three runs in their final at bat to force extra innings, but it was the Falcons who ended with the upper hand – and in a big way – with a nine-run eighth inning en route to a 14-5 Southern Lakes Conference victory May 2.
Central improved to 3-4 in the SLC and 5-8 overall with the win, while Wilmot fell to 2-4 and 2-6.
“A win against Wilmot, our rival, it’s great,” Central coach Randy Appleby said. “We need to get on a roll. We have potential and haven’t really reached it yet.”
Central’s big eighth inning started with a single by Steve Bailitz, a walk to Justin Barney and an infield bunt single by Brooks Gahart that loaded the bases.
The go-ahead run scored when Travis Knudsvig drew a walk, followed by a fielder’s choice and an error that drove in two more runs. Two more two-run singles by Chris Frackowiak and Knudsvig closed out the scoring.
“We got guys on base by just being patient, getting timely hits and taking advantage of the errors they made,” Appleby said.
Wilmot forced the extra frame with three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. A base hit and two walks loaded the bases with one out, followed by a two-run single by Wilmot’s Corey Crowder that cut the deficit to 5-4.
After a strike out, Wilmot’s Garrett Bogucki stole second and scored when the throw sailed into left field.
“(We had) too many walks (in the seventh),” Appleby said. “We (didn’t) challenge their hitters, and we got caught on our heels a little.”
Bailitz and Frackowiak each had four hits to lead Central, while Barney had three, including a double and an RBI. Frackowiak drove in three, while Bailitz had one RBI. Gregg Kuhfuss added three hits and two RBI, followed by Knudsvig with a hit and three RBI.
Crowder led the Panthers with two hits, including a double, and two RBI, while Kyle Nixon had two hits.
Gahart picked up the win, as he worked 6-2/3 innings, allowed two walks and struck out seven. Eric Nevoso took the loss in relief for the Panthers.
Busy week ahead
Central hosted Elkhorn and traveled to the Elks for the second in the back-to-back series Monday and Tuesday. The Falcons will host Delavan-Darien Friday, followed by a non-conference home doubleheader Saturday.
The Falcons face Madison East at 11 a.m., followed by East Troy at 1 p.m.
Next week’s schedule is highlighted by the team’s Alumni Day celebration when the varsity hosts Indian Trail Academy Saturday, May 18, at 11 a.m.
“We just have to take one game at a time, continue to keep improving, try to stay consistent with our approaches at the plate, in the field and on the mound,” Appleby said.
Wilmot hosted Waterford Monday and then traveled to face the Wolverines Tuesday. The Panthers host Elkhorn Friday afternoon, followed by a home doubleheader against Marian Catholic Central Saturday, May 11, beginning at 11 a.m.