Wildcats drop baseball opener at East Paulding

The Woodland Wildcats opened their 2023 baseball season Wednesday with an 8-6 loss at East Paulding.

Woodland took an early 3-0 lead through the top of the third inning but the host Raiders posted eight runs across their next four offensive frames to earn a come-from-behind win.

East Paulding (1-0) scored twice in the bottom of the third and added another run in the fourth to knot the score at 3-3. After Woodland regained the lead at 4-3 in the top of the fifth, the Raiders scored two more runs in the home half of the fifth to lead 5-4. East Paulding then added three runs in the sixth to take an 8-4 advantage.

The Wildcats managed two runs in the top of the seventh and got the potential tying run to the plate, but could not complete the rally.

Conner Stermer had two hits for the Wildcats. Mason Williams finished with a double and three RBIs. Logan Bentley and Ayden Ray added one hit and one RBI each.

Woodland utilized four pitchers in the loss. Rowan Billings (2.1 IP, 2R, 1ER, 3H, 1K) made the start, Coby Barrett (1 IP, 1ER, 1K), Hunter Shirley (1.2 IP, 4R, 2ER, 1H, 5BB, 4K), and Austin Daves (1 IP, 1R, 0ER, 2H, 2K) all worked brief stints for the Wildcats.

Riley Kelly (2 IP, 1ER, 2H, 1BB, 2K) was credited with the pitching win for East Paulding in relief of starter Jonah Pace (3 IP, 3R, 2ER, 1H, 6BB, 7K). Sam Peterson (2 IP, 2R, 1ER, 2H, 1BB, 2K) earned a two-inning save.

Peterson also had two hits and a pair of RBIs to pace the Raiders’ offense. Pedro Rodriguez (RBI), Stephan French, Baylor Thomason, Jon-Michael Huisman, and Pace added one hit each.

Woodland (0-1) will look to bounce back Tuesday when the Wildcats host Decatur at 5:55 p.m. They will also travel to Villa Rica on Thursday (Feb. 16) for a 5:55 p.m. start.