VIDEO, PHOTOS: Warrior offense comes alive for win over LCM

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

WILDWOOD – A Wildwood High School baseball team that had been struggling to score runs finally broke out Tuesday evening.

The Warriors erased an early 2-0 deficit by scoring eight straight runs before settling for a 10-7 victory over Lower Cape May in a non-league contest under the lights at Maxwell Field.

Wildwood, which had scored one run combined over its previous two games, both losses, scored three times in the first inning and five more times in the second. A two-run single by Ernie Troiano and an RBI hit by Ryan Troiano highlighted the Warriors’ offense in those two innings. Wildwood also walked seven times over the first two innings.

Wildwood had struck out 25 times total over its previous two games but whiffed just seven times against the Caper Tigers.

“We didn’t have many hits (five) but we got our bat on the ball and got a lot of runners on and that’s huge,” Wildwood coach Rich Hans said. “When you strike out you’re not putting any pressure on the other team. You have to put the ball in play and make them field it. We put the ball in play and we ran the bases very well.”

The victory was Wildwood’s sixth straight over Lower Cape May.

“It’s easy to get the kids up for these games against local teams,” Hans said. “We don’t get to play them a whole lot. The kids were well aware we had a five-game win streak going against Lower going into the game.

“I didn’t have to tell them anything to get them up for this game. They were ready to go and they were ready to play.”

Sophomore Ryan Troiano got the pitching win. He conceded six runs over five-plus innings, but only one was earned.

After Lower pulled to within three runs in the top of the sixth after a Wildwood relief pitcher had trouble throwing strikes, sophomore Harley Buscham recorded the final out of the frame with the bases loaded before allowing just one baserunner while recording the three outs in the seventh to post the save.

“Harley is probably the fifth or sixth pitcher in our rotation but when he comes in he gives you all he’s got and he has a huge heart,” Hans said. “He goes out and does his job and throws strikes.”

Ernie Troiano finished 3 for 5 with three RBI and Buscham and Al Sanzone each added RBI hits for Wildwood (3-3). The Warriors also benefited from 15 walks and hit batsmen by Caper Tiger pitching.

Wildwood got out of a big Lower Cape May threat in the fifth by turning an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play. It was the Warriors’ fifth double play through six games this season.

Jake Kronemeyer had two hits and three RBI, Kody Lewis had an RBI single and Aydan Heacock knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly for Lower (1-5). Hunter Ray also had two hits and two runs scored.

The contest featured two very young teams. A total of 12 freshmen and sophomores either started or saw action in the game.

The teams are scheduled to meet again on May 23 at Lower Cape May.