MIDDLETOWN — Zach Strickler”s two-run blast keyed a three-run Middletown fifth inning and helped lift the Mustangs to an 8-6 victory over the Willits Wolverines in a North Central League I North varsity baseball game on Monday at Wes Martin Field.
Middletown, still fighting for an at-large berth in next week”s North Coast Section Division IV playoffs, rallied from a 5-1 deficit to beat a Willits team it easily handled last month in Willits, 14-3.
“It was a nerve-racking game,” Middletown coach Mitch Tucker said.
Middletown, now 3-3 in the North standings and 12-9 overall with two games remaining, closed to 5-4 with three runs in the bottom of the fourth, including a clutch two-run single by Devin Nordin.
“That was a big hit,” Tucker said.
Middletown then pushed ahead in the bottom of the fifth. Johnny Harmyk singled to open the inning and Strickler followed with his second home run of the season to put the Mustangs on top to stay at 6-5. They added another run in the inning to go up 7-5.
Both teams scored in the sixth.
Daniel Sallee improved to 5-0 on the season with five-plus innings on the mound. He struck out two and walked one before turning the game over to reliever Eric Schenck, who pitched the final two innings to record the save.
Kyle Harmyk went 2-for-3 with a RBI and also turned in some strong defense, according to Tucker.
“He made some real nice plays at shortstop,” Tucker said.
Strickler and Johnny Harmyk also had two hits apiece.
Middletown hosts Kelseyville today at 4 p.m.
