The Salem Wildcats 10U put together another strong performance Monday night, rolling past the Vipers 10U by a score of 13-1.
Payton Etnier sparked the Wildcats offense with a perfect day at the plate, collecting three hits in three at-bats. Etnier singled in each of his three trips to the plate and helped set the tone for a Salem lineup that consistently put pressure on the Vipers.
The Wildcats wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Etnier led off the bottom of the first with a base hit and later came around to score. Salem added three runs in the opening inning, taking advantage of a pair of walks and a wild pitch to grab early control.
Salem continued to build its lead in the second. Edison Sager delivered an RBI double to center field, while the Wildcats added two more runs to make it 6-0.
The game broke open in the third inning when Salem plated five runs on four hits. Jace Alden and Etnier each delivered RBI singles, Sager drew a bases-loaded walk, Brantley Ice added an RBI hit, and another run crossed on a passed ball as the Wildcats stretched the advantage to double digits.
Alden was dominant on the mound, tossing four innings while allowing just three hits. The right-hander struck out six and did not issue a walk, keeping the Vipers off balance all evening.
At the plate, Alden and Bo Lux each drove in two runs. Ice added a pair of hits, while Salem’s patience at the plate resulted in seven walks. Keagan Webster, Ryder Mulvany, and Clay Heinzmann each drew two free passes.
The Wildcats also wreaked havoc on the basepaths, swiping 15 bases in the game. Alden, Mulvany, Etnier, and Heinzmann each recorded multiple steals as Salem’s aggressive running game kept the pressure on throughout the contest.
Defensively, the Wildcats were flawless, committing no errors. Lux led the way in the field with six defensive plays.
Henry H paced the Vipers offense with two hits and two stolen bases, but Salem’s balanced attack proved too much to overcome as the Wildcats cruised to the 13-1 victory.
