Mustangs Put on a Home Run Derby Routing Follett

     The Mustangs made the long trip to Follett on Friday, April 5, to take on the Panthers. It was super windy, but what else is new.

     Zach Johnson got the Mustangs going with a hit by pitch. Tyler Peden reached the bases on a walk, before Tate Wilkerson rocked the ball over the fence for his first home run. Seth Skarke followed with a double before a pop up got the first out. Maison Mays drew a walk to get on, and then Logan Johnson stepped to the plate and put a ball over the fence for his first home run of the season. Jesse Mullins got four balls to get on the bags before Bailey Morrow put some muscle behind the ball for the third home run of the inning, and his first of the season. Z. Johnson came back up and drew a walk. Peden hit a single to center to score Z. Johnson. Wilkerson then doubled to center to score Peden. Skarke drew a walk, before a strikeout got the second out. Mays also drew a walk to load the bases. With the bases juiced, L. Johnson blasted his second home run for a grand slam. A strikeout got the final out for the Panthers.
     Wilkerson started on the mound with Cornell behind the plate. A single to center got the first Panther batter on. A ground out from Cornell to Skarke got the first out. A walk put another runner on, before a fielder's choice from L. Johnson to Skarke had the second out and the first run in for Follett. During the next at bat the runner on second was caught stealing and was thrown out by Cornell to Mays. After the first inning, the score was 14-1.

     To start the top of the second, Morrow got on with a hit by a pitch. Z. Johnson came to the plate and belted the ball for his own home run. Peden reached on a walk before Wilkerson got his second home run of the game. Skarke doubled to center, followed by Cornell drawing a walk. A strikeout and an infield fly go the first two outs. Skarke was then picked off at second.
     The first batter for Follett reached on a walk, but Wilkerson buckled down and struck out the next three batters to end the second inning. With two in the books, the score was 18-1.

     Mullins reached an error, followed by Morrow hitting a double to left. Z. Johnson reached on a fielder's choice that had Mullins thrown out at home. Peden got an infield single to have the bases loaded. Wilkerson sac bunted to score Morrow. Skarke reached on a hit by pitch, and then Cornell reached on a fielding error that scored Z. Johnson. Peden scored on a passed ball during Mays' at bat. Mays got on the bags with a walk before a pop up retired the sides.
     A ground out to Wilkerson started the bottom of the third. An error allowed a runner on, and then Wilkerson got a strikeout. A hit by pitch had two Panthers on, but Wilkerson got another strikeout to end the third. After three innings the Mustangs lead 21-1.

     Brandon Sims started the top of the fourth by drawing a walk. Taylor Austin came to the plate next and got an infield single. A fly out for the first out was followed by a single from Peden to load the bases. A strikeout got out number two. Skarke took a hit by pitch to score Sims. Cornell hit a single to left to score Austin. Mays then got a bunt single to score Peden. L. Johnson stepped to the plate once more and rocked his third home run, and his second grand slam of the game. A strikeout sent the defense onto the field.
     L. Johnson took over on the mound in the bottom of the fourth. A strikeout got the first out. The next batter reached on an error, but the Mustangs were able to go 1,2,3 when they turned a double play courtesy of Wilkerson, Peden, and Skarke for the 4-6-3. After four, the score was 28-1.

     Austin reached on four balls. Z. Johnson got a bunt single to have two on. Peden laid down a sac bunt to advance the runners. Skarke also put down a bunt that had everyone safe and Austin scoring. Cornell reached on a fielder's choice that had Z. Johnson out at home. A caught foul tip switched the sides.
     L. Johnson started off with a strikeout. A walk put a runner on, but a ground out from L. Johnson to Skarke and a strikeout from L. Johnson got the final outs of the game. The Mustangs won 29-1.

Wilkerson had 5 strikeouts on the day and L. Johnson had 3. The Mustangs racked up the stats at the plate. Hitting doubles for the Mustangs were Wilkerson, Skarke (2), and Morrow. 7 home runs were belted for the Mustangs! Hitting bombs were Z. Johnson, Wilkerson (2), L. Johnson (3), and Morrow. Keep eating you Wheaties guys! After the first round of district, the Mustangs sat in 2nd at 4-1.