KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. — Wilder Baseball’s regional championship defense is off to a 2-0 start after the North Olympic Peninsula elite team defeated Centerfield 12-8.
Wilder pounded out 17 hits in the win.
“We hit .342 on the day as a team,” Wilder coach Chad Wagner said.
“We needed this game, and I was proud of my kids for not just giving up.”
Wilder led 5-0 before Centerfield, the South Washington representative in the 16-18 Babe Ruth Pacific Northwest Regional Tournament, scored five runs in the fourth inning to chase Wilder starter Jordan Shepherd.
Wilder (22-8) jumped back ahead with six runs in the sixth inning before adding two runs in the seventh.
Marcus Konopaski was a perfect 5 for 5 at the plate for Wilder, with five RBI and one run scored.
Kyle Kelly went 4 for 5, with two runs and two RBI.
Brady Konopaski had two hits, two walks, scored three runs and drove in a run.
Kevin Herzog scored three runs and stole to bases.
Michael Konopaski earned the win, allowing four hits and just one run in 2 2/3 innings of relief.
Close to semis
A win over Latah County (Id.) would give Wilder a 3-0 record in National Division play, and all but assure Wilder a spot in the semifinal round.
The top two teams from each division, National and American, make it to Saturday’s semifinals.
“We win [against Latah County], and we automatically make it to the weekend,” Wagner said.
“Take care of business . . . and we can sit back and scout out who we will be seeing on Saturday.”
In the semifinals, the top team from each division will play the second-ranked team from the other division.
The winners of those two games will face off in the regional championship game.
The regional champ will travel to the Babe Ruth World Series in Covington County, Ala., in mid-August.
