Weiser can’t get offense going in loss to Homedale

Last Monday, the Weiser Wolverine baseball team took on the Homedale Trojans at home.
 Looking to improve upon their last outing against Homedale, Weiser started left-hander Jarret Mink on the mound. Things looked to be improving with three up and three down in the top of the first inning; however, Weiser mimicked the Trojans with three up and three down in the bottom of the first inning.
 In the top of the second inning, Homedale tried to play a little “small ball,” bunting three times to advance runners. Weiser couldn’t quite stop the scoring drive quickly enough and Homedale scored three during the inning.
 Weiser still couldn’t quite get their bats going and couldn’t add any runs to the board. In the top of the third, Weiser showed some good defense, with two outs in two batters, but one more would score and Weiser would get the third out during a “pickle” between first and second base.
 Weiser had a great hit in the bottom of the third inning when Brett Spencer hit a single to shortstop. Weiser hit the ball hard a couple of times, but it was always right to someone.
 In the top of the fourth inning, Weiser collected two outs with ground balls hit to both Kooper von Brethorst at shortstop and to Brett Spencer at third base. Homedale would get a couple of base runners on, but Weiser got out of the inning without allowing Homedale to add to their score.
 The bottom of the fourth was much like the other innings, with Weiser hitting to someone. They could not add to their total either.
 Hopes were high for Weiser going into the bottom of the fifth. Ray Calley got on base with one out for the Wolverines. Calley would steal second and get to third on another great base hit by Brett Spencer. Calley would score on a wild pitch, advancing Spencer to third base. Weiser would ground out and end the inning adding one point to their score 5-1 at the end of the fifth inning.
 In the sixth inning, Weiser changed pitchers to Jayden Mink. During this inning, Homedale tried to advance a runner home, lowering his shoulder to encounter Weiser catcher Brody von Brethorst. The Homedale runner was out at the plate and was ejected from the game for lowering his shoulder in the collision with von Brethorst.
 Homedale was upset with the ejection and Weiser players ran in as Homedale batters cleared their dugout. After some talking and settling down the game resumed. Weiser got out of the inning without Homedale scoring any additional runs.
 Heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, Weiser still couldn’t get the offense running. Jarret Mink would single on a hit ball to shortstop, but that was all that could be mustered. Homedale would add one more run to the score in the top of the seventh inning.
 With their last chance at bat, Weiser had two base hits by Ray Calley and Brett Spencer, respectively, before Weiser hit into a fielder’s choice to end the inning without scoring any more runs.      
 Weiser lost to Homedale with a final score of 6-1. Jarret Mink faced 27 batters for Weiser allowing 7 hits, 5 runs, and had 2 strikeouts. Jayden Mink in relief faced 9 batters, allowing 3 hits, 1 run, and 1 strikeout. Weiser had 5 hits, 1 run, and 0 RBIs.
 Weiser’s bright spot for the game was some good defense in the field, along with Brett Spencer, who batted three for three for the Wolverines.
 Head coach Bowe von Brethorst was happy with the improvement from his team versus Homedale.     
 “Today we showed Homedale that we are competition for them. In our first outing, we hit the same pitcher better, but our defense wasn’t as impressive. Today, we hit the pitcher, but our defense went to work and most of the time came up with the play. We will be ready for them when it counts, in districts.”
 This week Weiser has a loaded schedule with Fruitland home Wednesday night and Senior Night home vs. Parma on Thursday. Come out and support Weiser baseball at Walter Johnson Memorial Field.