Timber Creek Defeats Oak Ridge, 15-3

The Timber Creek Wolves got their first win of the season on Wednesday night by defeating the Oakridge Pioneers by a score of 15-3. Both teams had their share of moments early on in the game, but both squads were battling another element as well: the wind.

The wind did have a huge factor to play in things. In the third inning Timber Creek players Tomas Farkass and Cam Meehan both ran hard around the basepaths despite the ball being popped up in the air. In any other game it would’ve been an easy play, but the wind was blowing the ball around so much that the Pioneers, understandably so, couldn’t make plays on the ball. Both times Farkass and Meehan scored from first base.

In fact, as the wind picked up during the middle of the game it forced a few errors that probably wouldn’t have occurred in calmer weather conditions. Nevertheless the game had plenty of action, starting with a triple off the bat of Timber Creek’s Arnie Ruiz. Following the triple, Cam Meehan and Zak Sousa both delivered singles to put two quick runs on the board in the top of the first.

For the returning state semi-finalists, they were just taking care of their business. However the Pioneers had an answer for them in the bottom of the inning, putting up three runs of their own off four straight hits.

Pioneers first baseman Jayson Jimenez drove in most of Oakridge’s runs with a bases-loaded single that scored two. However, two batters later Armando Rodriguez flied out to center field, and the Wolves were able to convert a double-play after a miscommunication on the basepaths.

This heads-up defense is something Timber Creek manager Tim Beaman puts a premium on.

“We emphasize mainly taking care of the baseball on the defensive side, and trying to play a flawless game without any errors,” Beaman said. “And just good plate approaches, I mean they did both of that today, no errors, and I thought after the first inning that they came around and had some good plate approaches from the third inning on.”

Speaking of plate approaches, Timber Creek’s Nick Allen had a memorable game, hitting a home run in his second straight game, after also going deep in the club’s last preseason game.

“I’m having a simple approach, I’m seeing the ball well, and I’m taking advantages of the pitcher’s mistakes,” Allen said.

On the other side of the ball Preston Schumaker ended up settling down and keeping the Pioneers from scoring any more runs.

“Pitching-wise I think Preston settled down after the first inning, pitched very well and then Neilan came in and really dominated here at the end,” Beaman said.

Bret Neilan relieved Schumacher after the bottom of the third inning, and kept the Pioneers scoreless for the rest of the game.

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