The Iola-Scandinavia Thunderbirds opened their season with a 9-1 victory over Nekoosa on Tuesday, March 31, at Taylor Field in Iola.
Wyatt Wolberg earned the win with three innings pitched. He allowed no hits, one walk, and struck out five.
Mason Kriesel pitched one and one-third innings in relief. He allowed one hit, four walks, and struck out four.
Mason Morfey pitched one and two-thirds innings. He allowed no hits, two walks, and struck out four.
Ben Gruba pitched one inning. He allowed no hits, no walks, and struck out two.
The Thunderbirds pitching staff combined to limit Nekoosa to one hit and one run while striking out 15. The performance kept the visitors off balance throughout and provided the foundation for the victory.
At the plate the Thunderbirds produced nine runs with a balanced attack. Mason Morfey led the way, going two for three with a double and two runs batted in. Ben Gruba had a double and three runs batted in. Jose Gutierrez had a double. Wyatt Wolberg was one for two with one run batted in.
The Thunderbirds also stole eight bases. The aggressive baserunning created constant pressure and helped manufacture runs to support the pitching effort.
The combination of the starting outing from Wolberg and the relief work from Kriesel, Morfey, and Gruba proved decisive. Wolberg set the tone with his hitless three innings. The relievers then protected the lead without allowing another hit. Kriesel recorded four strikeouts despite the four walks. Morfey added four more strikeouts in his hitless stint. Gruba closed with two strikeouts in a perfect frame.
Offensively, the extra-base hits from Morfey, Gruba, and Gutierrez provided key production. Morfey’s double and two runs batted in were part of his two-for-three day. Gruba’s double accounted for three runs batted in. Gutierrez added his double to the total. Wolberg chipped in with his hit-and-run batted in. Those contributions, paired with the eight stolen bases, allowed the Thunderbirds to build and protect their lead.
The victory improved the Thunderbirds to 1-0.
The team’s Facebook posting commented, “A huge thanks goes out to all who helped with the infield project, it’s March 31 and we played a game on it, that doesn’t happen often!”
