MIDDLETOWN >> The Middletown Mustangs provided their version of the “perfect storm” Friday en route to winning their North Central League I varsity baseball opener at Wes Martin Field.
First there was a sprinkle — Middletown’s first two batters in the game scoring against Fort Bragg. The storm followed in a deluge of 10 Middletown runs in the fourth and fifth innings, propelling the Mustangs to a 13-3 victory over the Timberwolves in a game shortened to five innings because of the 10-run rule.
Stephen Amos went 3-for-4 with a double and a RBI and Matt Wiloth went 2-for-3 with two doubles to lead Middletown’s 12-hit barrage. Travis Williams supplied the winning hit, a two-run, bases-loaded single to left field with no outs in the fifth. Williams was the eighth straight Mustang to reach base safely in the fateful fifth. Before his game-winning hit, Williams drew three walks.
Middletown coach Brad Holt had a smile of satisfaction although his Mustangs (1-0 league, 4-6 overall) still have a long way to go to establish themselves as contenders.
“It shows me the bats are coming,” Holt said. “The defense is still a little rough in spots. But if we can go .500 in league we can be a contender.”
The Mustang defense was indeed up to the task, combining with a confident pitching performance by Brad’s son, Tyler, who did not add appreciably to his season strikeout total — 24 in his first two starts. He did pitch shutout baseball for the first four innings before wavering slightly in the fifth when the Timberwolves nicked him for all three of their runs, only two of which were earned. He allowed four hits, struck out two and walked two.
“He threw when he needed to throw,” said Holt.
Middletown hosts St. Helena on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
