Wolfpack hounds Wildcats in playoffs
MORRISVILLE- The Twin Valley Middle High School varsity baseball season came to an end Tuesday, as the the Wildcats dropped a 10-0 decision to Peoples Academy in the first round of the D3 state playdowns.
“They had a really good pitcher and we struggled to put the ball in play,” said Twin Valley coach Brian Monroe. “ They also did a good job of putting the ball in play.”
The Wolfpack jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. They added three runs in the second, two in the fourth, and finished off the Wildcats with two more in the bottom of the fifth for a mercy-rule win.
Twin Valley had a rough day at the plate. Winning pitcher Kristian Viljanen kept the Wildcats in check, throwing a no-hitter and striking out seven along the way. He also went 3-3 at the plate. Alex Grant was 2-3 with two runs batted in.
“We battled until the very end,” said Monroe. “Our seniors, Joey Rafus, Hayden Reed, Logan Park, and James McGovern, did a great job all year long and will definitely be missed. They will be big shoes to fill next year.”
Twin Valley finished the season with a 1-14 record.
Poultney 10, TV 9
WILMINGTON- Twin Valley closed out its regular season with a home game at Baker Field Friday afternoon. The Wildcats looked to be on their way to the team’s second win of the season. But the Blue Devils’ bats came alive in the late innings and the visitors rallied for a 10-9 win.
Twin Valley jumped out to an early lead, scoring two in the first inning. They added one in the second inning. The Wildcats took a 7-0 lead by plating four runners in the bottom of the fourth. Sophomore Dylan Dupius had a key hit to drive in two runners with a well-timed run-and-hit play. Senior James McGovern also drove in a run in the fourth-inning rally. Twin Valley added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth.
Senior lefty Joey Rafus started for the Wildcats and pitched a strong game. McGovern came on in relief, just as the Poultney hitters woke up.
The Blue Devils scored four runs in the fourth inning and one in the fifth. Twin Valley still led 9-5 after the fifth, but Poultney added two runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh to take the lead. Twin Valley was unable to rally back in the bottom of the seventh, and the Devils hung on for the come-from-behind win. McGovern took the loss for Twin Valley.
James Mars earned the win for Poultney. Tommy Dunbar had a triple and a game-winning two-run homer, Cameron Wescott added two hits and three RBIs, and Chris Wade had a two-run single,
“Both teams played really well,” said Monroe.
McGovern went 2-4 with two runs batted in. Twin Valley senior Logan Park was 1-2 with a run scored.