Wheeler Athletics

Cash Micciche showed a strong eye at the plate on Friday, as Micciche walked three times while leading Wheeler Junior Varsity Bearcats to a 19-6 victory over Merrillville. Merrillville opened the scoring in the top of the first thanks to three walks. Merrillville first got on the board when #6 drew a walk, scoring one run. Wheeler Junior Varsity Bearcats flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the first, scoring six runs on zero hits to take the lead, 6-3. The biggest blow in the inning was an error that drove in three. Merrillville tied the game up in the top of the second thanks to two errors. Merrillville tied the game at six on an error. Wheeler Junior Varsity Bearcats jumped back into the lead in the bottom of the second inning after Christian Cutka singled down the right field line, and Freddy Gaetz grounded out, each scoring one run. A walk by Max Serafin, an error, and a wild pitch helped Wheeler Junior Varsity Bearcats extend their early lead in the third. Wheeler Junior Varsity Bearcats scored seven runs on four hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. Micciche drew a walk, scoring one run, a steal of home scored two runs, Cutka singled, scoring one run, Gaetz singled, scoring one run, Calvin Paolone singled, scoring one run, and a steal of home scored one run. Cash Kostbade earned the win for Wheeler Junior Varsity Bearcats. The pitcher surrendered one hit and three runs (zero earned) over two innings, striking out two and walking two. #4 took the loss for Merrillville. The starting pitcher went three and two-thirds innings, surrendering 18 runs (12 earned) on four hits, striking out three and walking 14. Noah Udzielak stepped on the hill first for Wheeler Junior Varsity Bearcats. The starting pitcher allowed zero hits and three runs over one inning, striking out none and walking six. Victor Hutcheson threw two innings of scoreless ball for Wheeler Junior Varsity Bearcats in relief. The hurler allowed zero hits, striking out five and walking two. Gaetz drove the middle of the lineup, leading Wheeler Junior Varsity Bearcats with three runs batted in. The third baseman went 1-for-3 on the day. Cutka led Wheeler Junior Varsity Bearcats with two hits in three at bats. Wheeler Junior Varsity Bearcats had patience at the plate, amassing 14 walks for the game. Micciche and Kostbade led the team with three walks each. Paolone, Micciche, Jayden Ortiz, Kostbade, and Logan Bigham each stole multiple bases for Wheeler Junior Varsity Bearcats. Wheeler Junior Varsity Bearcats stole 13 bases in the game. Wheeler Junior Varsity Bearcats turned one double play in the game. #1 led Merrillville with one hit in two at bats. #17, #22 , and #6 each drove in one run for Merrillville. #11 paced Merrillville with three walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, accumulating 10 walks for the game. #11 stole two bases. Wheeler Junior Varsity Bearcats will travel to South Central for their next game on Wednesday.