The Baker High varsity baseball team went 2-0 the past week to improve to 13-1, and locked up the number one seed in the district tournament in the process.
On March 19 the Wildcats beat the visiting Fernandina Beach Pirates 2-1. Freshmen Dylan Hall picked up the win, throwing 3.2 innings and giving up only one run. Jacob Milton pitched 2.1 scoreless innings in relief and Hunter Hanks picked up the save with a scoreless seventh inning.
Jared Crews led the offense with a pair of hits and Ethan Wilkerson added an RBI double.
“We didn’t swing the bats very well that night; maybe we were looking ahead to Friday’s game,” said Coach Fred Matricardi.
On March 22 the Cats hosted Bishop Kenny to determine the number one seed in the district tournament and handled the Crusaders 8-2 in what Matricardi called “our best game of the season.”
Hunter Hanks pitched 6.1 innings to pick up the win. He gave up six hits and had nine strikeouts.
“Hunter pitched very well and shut down a very good hitting team,” said Matricardi. “He has done that all year for us.”
Hanks also led the offense, going 3-4 with two RBIs. Ethan Wilkerson added two hits and an RBI.
Mikal Flores added two key push bunts that brought in two RBIs.
“That has been the difference in this team this year,” said Matricardi. “Our guys have been team guys and are willing to do anything to win. They have been very selfless and have really bought into the team concept.”
Ethan Wilkerson is leading the Wildcats with a .450 batting average with 11 RBIs and a pair of home runs. Jacob Milton is hitting a .432 and has a 3-0 record on the mound.
Hunter Hanks has been the key man in the Wildcats’ pitching success and at the plate. He is hitting .381 with 12 RBIs and is 6-0 on the mound with a save. Freshmen Dylan Hall is hitting .333 with seven RBIs.
“He is doing a great job for a freshman on a very good team. He hasn’t played like a freshman.”
The Wildcats travel to Fernandina Beach on Thursday, March 28 to play in the Pirates’ Diamond Classic.
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