PORT ANGELES — After opening the tournament with a win, the Wilder Baseball Club 18U team ran into a hard-hitting Mid County (TX) squad Monday and fell 15-3 in six innings.
Wilder kept things close early, trailing just 2-0 through the first two innings, but a five-run third by Mid County cracked the game open. The Texas club piled on with two more runs in the fourth and a three-run sixth to trigger the mercy rule.
Wilder answered with a five-hit effort, scoring two runs in the third and one in the fourth, but couldn’t keep pace. Braydan White led the offense with a double and two total bases. Rylan Politika, Ian Smithson, Josiah Gooding, Lincoln Bear, and Jordan Shumway each contributed hits, with Shumway also swiping a base.
Wilder used three pitchers — Alexander Angevine, Josiah Gooding, and Kody Williams — to try to contain the Mid County offense, which exploded for 14 hits and took advantage of five Wilder errors. Gooding took the loss on the mound, though he also helped keep Wilder in the game early.
Mid County’s offense was led by Daigan Venable, who blasted a home run, tallied six total bases, and stole a base. Austin Cadroy added three doubles and six total bases of his own, while Slade Landry and Joseph Malave each had extra-base hits. Fussell earned the win in relief for Mid County, allowing just one run.
The loss drops Wilder to 1-1 in tournament pool play.
Wilder’s next game is Tuesday at 4 p.m. against Fort Caroline Babe Ruth 18U.