WWCS underclassmen getting time in the limelight
By Robyn Rohde, BHG News Service
During the preseason, coach Kip Erickson knew he was faced with the challenge of maturing a young group into a solid contender among Region 8 competition. Nearly two months later the co-op between Washburn, Wilton and Center-Stanton schools is hitting the downward slope of their season and have only four conference losses to their name while sweeping three other opponents. In last Thursday’s action, it was the youngest players on the roster carrying the broom as the Cardinals dominated Standing Rock for a pair of shortened region wins 13-3 and 15-0. Two walks in the opening game eventually led to Standing Rock striking first. A wild pitch from Kirk Sailer gave the Warriors an opportunity to steal home. Later in the inning, a base hit over first base resulted in an RBI. It’s been nearly an entire year since Sailer took the mound. Once last spring the Washburn sophomore ate a few innings, then he was also called upon to pitch during the Legion season. Both WWCS pitchers in the doubleheader were new sites to the hill. Kirby Kraft tossed a one-hitter in the game’s nightcap. Kraft was untested in high school pitching before the night, Erickson noted.
