Errors erase Wildcat lead in Game 1

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The Huntington Red Devils pulled out a 7-6 Thursday night over the Onalaska Wildcats in Game 1 of the area championship series. The Red Devils have been ranked in the Class 3A top 20 all year and were favored to win the series. The Wildcats didn’t let being an underdog bother them; they were ready for a fight.

The scoring started early in the top of the first inning. After only four pitches and two errors, the Wildcats were trailing, 1-0. A sacrifice and another error allowed the Red Devils to score two more for a quick 3-0 lead. 

The Wildcats bounced right back in the bottom of the inning. With two outs and runners in scoring position, Blaine De La Cerda singled on a line drive to left, scoring Jake Gibson from third. Jarrett Purkerson singled to load the bases for the Wildcats. Brayden Topkins hit one in the right-field gap, scoring two runs and tying the game, 3-3. The next batter, Ty Phillips, hit a double to right, bringing in Purkerson, but a runner was thrown out at the plate by Huntington’s right fielder to end the inning with the Wildcats leading, 4-3.

Onalaska added another run in the second inning when Gibson hit a triple into the right-field corner. He scored on a single to center by Patrick Roth, 5-3 Wildcats.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Thad Lilley led with a triple over the head of Huntington’s centerfielder in center. Purkerson drove him in to put the Wildcats up, 6-3.

The Red Devils came charging back to tie the game, 6-6, in the top of the sixth inning with three hits, a walk, and another unfortunate error by the Wildcat second baseman.

Onalaska threatened in the bottom of the inning. Roth walked, then advanced to second on a passed ball. Lilley was intentionally walked with first base open. De La Cerda drew a walk to load the bases with two outs, but the Wildcats couldn’t capitalize.

In the top of the seventh inning, with the game tied 6-6, the Red Devils singled and drew a walk, putting the go-ahead run on second base. Stunned Wildcat fans watched as the Red Devils took the lead, 7-6, after another devastating Wildcat error. Onalaska weren’t able to rally in the bottom of the seventh and Game 1 ended, 7-6 Huntington.

Brayden Topkins started the game for the Wildcats, and he pitched fantastic. He pitched a seven-inning complete game, allowing six hits, two earned runs with four walks and two strikeouts. 

“I’m really proud of (Topkins), but we just wasted a really great performance, and I feel really bad for him,” Onalaska coach Cody Pinkert said. 

The Wildcat bats came alive for this game. Topkins went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, Roth went 2-for-3 with an RBI, a run, and a walk. Ty Phillips went 2-for-4 with an RBI, Wyatt Reyes went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk, Jake Gibson went 1-for-3 with a triple, a stolen base, and two runs, Lilley went 1-for-2 with a triple, a run and a walk

 “You can’t sugar coat it,” Pinkert said. “The reason we lost that game is because of the seven errors. That’s not winning baseball. We have to tighten up if we expect to win tomorrow night.”

Game 2 against Huntington is Friday night in Hudson. 

“It’s all about a positive mindset,” the coach said. “We know our backs are against the wall. If we come out and play loose and confident, I really like our chances.” 

Lilley will be the starting pitcher in Game 2 for Onalaska.