Wolves hold on to take a 10-9 win in season opener

SUMMIT - The Co-Lin Wolf Pack held on to take a 10-9 win over the Southwest Bears in the season opener for both teams. 

Co-Lin jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. With two outs, Peyton Parker was hit by a pitch and stole second. Marquez Hudson took the Josh Bailey pitch over the left field wall. Hunter Richardson followed with a solo shot over the center field fence.  

Southwest added two runs in the bottom of the third inning. Brady Tynes led off the inning with a double. Jerod Williams drew a walk. Ajani Johnson hit a bunt single to load the bases. Gage Gregory singled to score Tynes. Williams scored on a wild pitch.

The Wolves added a run in the top of the fourth inning to increase their lead to 4-1. Freshman Kenner Bizot grounded out to the shortstop to score Richardson who walked earlier in the inning.

In the top of the fifth inning, Wade Nichols reached second base on an error by the third baseman. Parker smashed a double to left field to pick up the RBI. Hudson singled and Parker advanced to third. Richardson hit a two-run RBI double to left field to give the Wolves a 7-2 lead.

The Wolves added three more runs in the top of the sixth as Bizot, Cade Lowery, and Wade Nichols loaded the bases with no outs. Tom Biggs singled to plate Bizot. Parker singled to score Lowery and Nichols giving Co-Lin a 10-2 lead.

The Bears would not give up as they added five runs in the bottom of the sixth to cut the Co-Lin lead to 10-7.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Southwest scored two more runs to pull within a run. With two outs and bases loaded, relief pitcher Peyton Parker came in and got Johnson to ground out ending the game.

At the plate for the Wolves, Richardson led the way with a home run and a double for 3 RBIs. Peyton Parker added a double and a single for 3 RBIs. Hudson had a home run and a single. Adding support with a single apiece were Biggs, Bizot, Lowery, and Nichols.

Starter Caleb Rutledge picked up his first win of the season. He allowed 4 earned runs on 6 hits, striking out 7 and walking 1 in 5 innings. Tanner Watts entered the game in the sixth inning. He allowed 3 runs (1 earned) on 1 hit and walked 2. Micah Parker pitched 1.2 innings allowing 2 runs on 2 hits, striking out 1 and walking 1. Peyton Parker earned the save allowing 1 hit.

For the Bears, Johnson had a pair of singles. Tynes doubled. Adding support with a single apiece were Gregory, Mason Baker, Dillon Morgan, Johnson Havard, Braxton Cooksey, and Jared Williams.

The Wolves host Meridian for a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 6, beginning at 1 p.m.