Wildcats make early lead stand up in defeat of Coahulla Creek

The Woodland Wildcats grabbed a 5-0 lead through four innings Monday night and held on down the stretch to defeat visiting Coahulla Creek, 5-4.

Woodland scored twice in the bottom of the first inning on a two-run triple by Ayden Ray. The Wildcats later added three more runs in the fourth inning on a two-run single by Julian Wright and an RBI single by Jacob Gravett.

The Colts made it interesting late with two runs in the fifth inning on a pair of hits and two Woodland defensive miscues. They then narrowed the margin to 5-4 on a Tanner Headrick two-RBI double in the top of the seventh with one out.

Woodland pitcher Conner Stermer (1 IP, 2ER, 1H, 2BB, 2K) was able to end the late Coahulla Creek rally with a strikeout and a groundout to close out the final inning. Wright (5 IP, 2R, 0ER, 4H, 0BB, 6K) started on the mound for the Wildcats and picked up the pitching win. Rowan Billings (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 0BB, 2K) recorded three outs in the sixth inning.

Headrick had three hits and three RBIs for Coahulla Creek (3-5).

For Woodland, Ray finished with three hits and two RBIs. Wright had two hits with two RBIs. Jakiyon Porter also contributed two hits. Chase Carson, Jackson Rutlege (double), Billings (double), and Gravett (RBI) added one hit each.

Woodland (6-4) hosts North Cobb Tuesday at 5:55 p.m. and will entertain East Paulding Friday at 5:55 p.m.