W.F. West went down early against Mark Morris on Tuesday, but the Bearcats clawed back and took down the Monarchs 4-2 in a district quarterfinal.
“It’s good to get that win out of the way,” W.F. West coach Jesse Elam. “This district is tough, and it’s always gonna be a battle.”
After giving up the two runs (one earned) in the first, Hayden Rooney found his rhythm on the mound. He ended up pitching six innings, allowing just two hits while walking and striking out three.
“Hayden did a great job the entire game,” Elam said, while noting the defense could’ve given him more help early on. “It was just about us showing up and being ready to go.”
The Bearcats got on the board in the third on an RBI single from Deacon Meller, and Miles Martin scored on an error to tie the game in the fifth.
Meller gave W.F. West the lead with another RBI knock.
“Deacon kinda carried us those first few innings,” Elam said.
Miles Martin tacked on an insurance run in the sixth, hitting a line drive up the middle after fouling off two pitches.
Hudson McCallum shut the door in the seventh, working around a leadoff walk and a hit batter to end the game.
W.F. West (20-2) will play in the district semifinals for the eighth straight district tournament. The Bearcats will face R.A. Long at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Center on Wednesday. The winner will advance to the state tournament and the district title game.
“It’s gonna be a battle,” Elam said. “They’re gonna come out ready to go. We need to play our game.”
