Timber Creek Wolves maul University Cougars, 10-0
3/22/2012by Clayton Green

 

Varsity boys baseball: Timber Creek Wolves maul University Cougars, 10-0
Game called early due to 10-run mercy rule

Timber Creek pitcher Konzen

Timber Creek pitcher Tyler Konzen throws a strike Wednesday against University. Konzen and the Wolves allowed only four hits in their 10-0 victory over the Cougars. (CLAYTON GREEN / March 22, 2012)

 
Mercy, mercy, mercy.

The Timber Creek Wolves showed little of it to the University High Cougars on Wednesday in a game that had to be called early under the 10-Run "mercy'' rule. The Wolves shut out University 10-0 at UHS, with the game ending in the sixth inning.

University coach Jim Loud was disappointed with his team's batting.

"I thought we were going to get out and score," said Loud, "but we just couldn't."

Timber Creek pitcher Tyler Konzen was a big reason why. Konzen only allowed four hits in six innings.

"I knew I just had to throw strikes because I had a good defense behind me," said Konzen.

The Wolves jumped out early, scoring their first run off of a Cougar error. Then Branden Castro hit a home run, driving in two more runs and giving them a 3-0 lead in the first inning.

"It felt pretty good," said Castro. "It felt good to give the team an early lead."

University pitcher Patrick Stephens, a UCF commit, started for the Cougars. Stephens allowed six runs before he was taken out at the end of the fourth inning.

"He was spent and he was having his worst [game] out of the season," said Loud. "I didn't want to prolong it."

Timber Creek coach Scott Grove said he prepared his team for Stephens.

"Well, we knew about Patrick Stephens. He's a good right-handed pitcher. He's got a really good fast ball," said Grove. "We've been gearing up for it."

Michael Hernandez took the mound for University in the top of the fifth inning. He met the same results as Stephens, allowing four runs in two innings.

Timber Creek sealed the deal in the top of the sixth inning. The score was 7-0 when Martin Pagan hit a home run, driving in the final three runs of the game.

"It felt good to close out the game," said Pagan. "I knew we needed three and got us those three."

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Timber Creek defense started to waver, allowing two hits in a row. But the Wolves ultimately prevailed, getting the last two outs to seal their early victory.

"I never give up until the last out," said a frustrated coach Loud. "But my guys did."

With this win, Timber Creek increases its winning streak to six and improves its record to 11-3 while the Cougars' record drops to 5-8. The Wolves will host University again Thursday night at 7 for the second game in the two-game series.