Pilgrim nine pick up win and state berth
Friday, May 9, 2008 12:32 PM PDT
Argus Observer sports staff
New Plymouth—New Plymouth’s Wes Hooten defined the term “team player” Thursday during the Pilgrims 2A district III playoff 11-4 win over Parma.
Hooten, still hampered by a hip injury, took the mound for the Pilgrims and turned in a gutsy performance, going the distance allowing four runs on seven hits with seven strike outs and four walks.
“It was a huge win for Hooten, and a very gutsy performance,” New Plymouth head coach Darin Gray said. “He took command early and kept them off-balance all night.”
The Pilgrims began the game with two runs in the bottom of the first inning, and two runs in the second inning for the early 4-1 lead. Parma plated its first run of the game in the top of the second inning.
Parma tried to make a game of it in the fourth inning with another run to close the gap to 4-2, New Plymouth.
The Pilgrims responded to the Panthers threat with two more runs in the home half of the fourth and added one more in the bottom of the fifth for the 7-2 lead.
Parma plated its final two runs of the day in the top of the sixth inning, and New Plymouth ended the game with four runs in the bottom of the sixth for the final tally.
Leading the Pilgrims in the box was K.J. Morris, going 3-for-3 with five RBIs. Hooten helped his cause with a 2-for-4 effort. Cody Pfeifer went 3-for-4 with an RBI, and Matt York was 3-for-4 with two runs scored.
“We are peaking at the right time. We are a young team, and I am proud of the way they are coming together,” Gray said. “They are playing aggressive ball and are playing for the now. We are clicking at the right time.”
New Plymouth will advance to the state tournament next week.
Payette 12
Homdale 1
Fruitland
The Pirate baseball team took care of business Thursday and remain alive in the state playoff hunt with a 12-1 win over Homedale during the 3A District III baseball tournament in Fruitland.
The Pirates will take on Weiser at 3 p.m. Saturday, and the winner will advance to the Idaho 3A state tournament which will begin next week at Treasure Valley Community College.
