Woodcreek splits DH with Rio, wins series

The rainouts last week didn't bother Woodcreek's varsity baseball team, as the team completed their normal schedule Saturday with a doubleheader against Rio Americano. The Timberwolves won the first game of the series 1-0 on March 11 behind the pitching of starter Bryson Ruiz and Aaron Palmer, who recorded the last four outs. Cameron Clouse had the game-winning RBI, while Will Munoz scored the run. On Saturday, the Timberwolves found themselves trailing Rio Americano 6-1 after three innings before rallying for an 11-8 comeback win. In the second game, Rio Americano earned the 8-5 win to salvage a game from the series, which left Woodcreek's record at 5-1 in league and 7-4 overall. Woodcreek rallied for two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, as Keon Guernsey walked and scored on a passed ball and Christian Murphy singled and scored on an error by Rio Americano's left fielder, which made the score 6-3. Rio Americano scored a run in the top of the fifth to regain a four-run lead, but the Timberwolves rallied big time in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring eight times, to take an 11-7 lead. Pierson Lee, hitting ninth in the lineup, started the rally with a triple to left field and then scored on Trace Murchison's single. A single by Munoz and a hit by pitch to Guernsey loaded the bases before Murphy was safe on an error and Woodcreek now trailed 7-5. Clouse then hit a ball that went off the third basemen's glove for another run, and Connor Stephens walked another run in to tie the score at 7. Dante Ruggiero hit a sacrifice fly before a clutch pinch-hit double by Landon Juneau gave the Timberwolves a two-run lead. One more run came in on a wild pitch before another sacrifice fly by Murchison made the score 11-7. Rio Americano got one run back in the top of the seventh, but Woodcreek's Tyler Thompson eventually closed the door and got the save. "I'm very proud of the guys for not giving up and believing in themselves," Woodcreek coach Lucas Conn said. "They had some quality at bats during the come-from-behind win." In the second game, Woodcreek held a 3-2 lead after four innings, but a five-run fifth by the Raiders did them in. Cody Scott had three hits for Woodcreek while Palmer had two. Murphy also drove in two runs for the Timberwolves. It's been a good start to the season for the Timberwolves. "I'm really proud of the guys," Conn said. "The seniors have stepped up tremendously and our juniors have been competing. The team chemistry and culture have been great. "A couple of standouts have been Aaron Palmer; he's been incredible for us. Christian Murphy's bat has been phenomenal and Trace Murchison has stepped up, as he's a threat with the bat and on the bases." Pitching has also been good for the team. "Our pitching has been fantastic," Conn said. "Bryson Ruiz is definitely our ace, as he's picked up where he left off last year. A junior, Ayden Gomez, has stepped up and senior Dane Wyles has built up confidence from last year and has done a good job." The strength of the team at this early part of the season has been hitting and starting pitching and that's two good places to start. "We've really been putting together quality at bats, and our starting pitching has kept us in games," Conn said. "Our defense has been good too." Conn sees good things ahead for this group. "The guys have been competing," Conn said. "I think this team has the potential to win league and make a run in the playoffs."