KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. — Wilder Baseball began its 16-18 Babe Ruth Pacific Northwest regional title defense with a perfect 4-0 record in divisional play.
Wilder routed Latah Country (Id.) 10-0 in five innings, and then beat the Buffaloes (Wyo.) 17-8 in 10-innings to claim the National Division’s No. 1 seed in the semifinals.
Against Latah, Wilder pitcher Michael Dean allowed just one hit over five innings.
He enjoyed plenty of early run support, as Wilder put up three runs in the first inning and five more in the second.
Kyle Kelly drove in three runs, and Devon Courtney had two RBI and three hits.
Kevin Herzog also had three hits for Wilder, and Brady Konopaski contributed two.
Wilder had to carry big bats to beat the Buffaloes.
Wilder tied the game at 5-5 with three runs in the top of the sixth inning, but Wyoming regain the lead with a pair of runs in its half of the inning.
But Wilder responded with two runs in the seventh, and then held the Buffaloes scoreless to send the game into extra innings with the score 7-7.
Both teams scored a run in the ninth inning.
Wilder finally broke away in the 10th when it plated nine runs to take a commanding 17-8 lead.
Cody Russell had four hits and five RBI for Wilder, and Kelly had three hits and drove in two runs.
Herzog walked four times and stole two bases.
He also finished the game on the mound to earn the win.
Wilder (24-8) faces the second-place American Division team.
If the Port Angeles-based team wins again, it will play for its second consecutive regional championship today.
The regional champ will play in the Babe Ruth World Series in Covington County, Ala., later this month.