WILLITS >> Middletown’s offense scratched out just three hits in a 4-1 loss to the Willits Wolverines in North Central League I varsity baseball action on Wednesday afternoon in Willits.
Worse yet, the Mustangs (7-5 league, 10-11 overall) allowed only two hits to the Wolveirnes (7-5), who made the most of four walks issued by Middletown pitching and three hit batsmen to win the game.
“The walks killed us,” Middletown coach Brad Holt said.
The loss may also have killed Middletown’s chances of finishing second in the NCL I standings behind champion Clear Lake. The Mustangs will need to win their final two league games — Monday at Cloverdale (9-4) and Tuesday at home against Clear Lake (12-0) to earn a share of the runner-up spot.
Trailing 1-0 after one inning, Middletown tied the game in the top of the second on a Brett Pike double, a John Kelly single and Albert Ruske’s sacrifice fly. Willits went in front to stay with a run in third and it remained a 2-1 lead for the Wolverines until they added two insurance runs in the sixth.
Middletown starting pitcher Tyler Holt, 6-4, worked 5 1/3 innings before giving way to Cody Chorjel. Holt struck out eight, walked three and hit three.
Stephen Amos had the only other Middletown hit.
The win went to Willits pitcher Dimitri Betts.
Middletown is now 10-11 on the season.
