PORT ANGELES — Wilder Baseball swept Castle Rock in a doubleheader this past weekend at Civic Field to improve to 9-3 overall.
The first game was the key as Wilder came from behind to win in extra innings Saturday evening, and then the North Olympic Peninsula elite team easily romped in the nightcap for the sweep.
Wilder 10-runned Castle Rock in five innings in the second game after the visitors became short-handed because of injuries.
Castle Rock canceled Sunday’s scheduled single game because of the injuries.
“We continue to improve, and our base running was way better this weekend,” Wilder head coach Chad Wagner said.
“We are starting to play as a team and to understand how to play Wilder baseball.”
Wilder now has won eight consecutive games after opening the season 1-3.
The first game set the tone for the weekend as Wilder scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the game at 6 runs each, staying alive and sending the game into extra innings.
Wilder scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to win 8-6.
Devon Courtney started the eighth-inning rally with a base hit, and then he stole second.
Kevin Herzog came up and delivered the game-winning base hit.
“I was really proud about our guys never giving up,” Wagner said.
“They could of just rolled over and taken the loss. They didn’t, and by doing so showed great heart and competitiveness.”
Wilder scored the eight runs on 14 hits, and had four errors while Castle Rock scored six runs on nine hits, and had two errors.
Port Townsend’s Kyle Kelly earned the win by throwing the eighth inning, striking out two.
Starter Mike Dean threw the first five innings, striking out five and walking three while giving up no earned runs. Castle Rock scored five unearned runs in those five innings.
Cody Russell threw the next two innings, giving up just one hit while striking out two.
Castle Rock scored an unearned run during that time.
Besides knocking in the winning run, Herzog went 1 for 2 with three walks and two runs scored.
Marcus Konopaski was a perfect 4 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI while brother Brady Konopaski went 2 for 4 with a run scored.
Kelly and Courtney also had 2 for 4 batting games each.
Both Kelly and Courtney also had an RBI and a stolen base each.
Wilder had 12 hits and two errors to win the nightcap 14-4 in five innings.
Castle Rock scored its runs on four hits, and had an error.
Nick Johnston earned the win by giving up no runs in three innings, allowing just three hits while striking out four.
Kelly, Larsson Chapman and Brett Wright all were a perfect 2 for 2 at the plate.
Kelly scored two runs, walked twice and had an RBI while Chapman scored three runs, knocked in two runs and was issued two walks.
Wright had an RBI.
Herzog and Garrett Payton both went 1 for 2 apiece with Herzog scoring two runs and stealing two bases.
Payton hit a double, scoring and run and have two RBI.
Talon Cameron had a banner offensive game with three RBI and two stolen bases while going 1 for 3.
Wilder next hosts the North Kitsap Americans on Saturday at Civic Field in a doubleheader starting at noon, and then plays Sequim U18 in a doubleheader at Civic Field on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m.
After those four games, Wilder will host the popular annual Firecracker Tournament July 4-7.
There will be five visiting teams at Firecracker, including Sequim U18, Seattle Titans, Victoria Selects, Washington Nationals and Kingston.
