WIZARDS STRIKEOUT THE WARRIORS

By MATT BENSON

The Washingtonville baseball team played Minisink Valley on Monday, April 9th.  It was their first game of the season.  Senior captain, Jack Wilde, got the start for the Wizards.  He and his teammates were able to edge out the Warriors in a 2-1 victory.

Wilde came out strong in the team’s season opener.  He threw six scoreless innings with an outstanding ten strikeouts.  Minisink was only able to scrap together two hits against Wilde.  The ace got it done on both sides of the ball.  Wilde not only pitched a great game, but he batted in one RBI of the 2-1 win.  The senior captain spoke about how the team did and their goal as a whole this season, and this is what he expressed, “As the captain, I hope I can help lead this team to sections.  I think we can have a successful season with all the new talent we have on the team.”

A few juniors stood out in the win over Minisink as well.  One of which was Josh Hernandez, a junior catcher.   The catcher had a terrific day at the plate.  He went 3-for-4 with an RBI double that made all the difference in the outcome of the game.  Hernandez also had a beautiful game behind the plate with zero passed balls.

MATT BENSON FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY

Another junior who came up clutch to seal the victory was Tim Curtin.  Curtin played right field Monday and was ready to make a play.  There were two outs in the final inning of the game with the tying run on base when a fly ball was hit to the right field fence.  Curtin played the ball off the wall and threw the batter out at second before the tying run could cross home.

The game was a pitching dual.  The starters combined for a total of 25 strikeouts.  The starter for the Warriors threw a complete game.  Jack Wilde started the game hot.  Then, junior Will Donlon came in for the save and closed up the win.  When senior teammate and center fielder, Jeremy Gutierrez, was asked how he felt when Donlon took the mound, he responded, “I felt confident that [Donlon] would get the save, and I think a closing role is his niche.”

Come support our varsity baseball team Saturday, April 14th!  They will be playing Monroe-Woodbury at home where Jeremy Gutierrez is expected to get the start.