Akron-Westfield repelled a comeback attempt by South O’Brien to defeat the Wolverines 15-7 May 16 in the season opener for both teams. The Westerners built a 5-0 lead through the top of the third but the host team closed to within 5-3 after four innings. The visitors then tacked on three runs in the fifth and seven in the sixth to secure the win.
Boston Riedemann went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double, two runs scored and a run batted in. Trevor Fiddelke was 2-for-4 and Pete Bottjen 1-for-3. Kester Grimm reached base three times on errors, scored twice and picked up a pair of RBI’s. It was Ben Woodall, Brock Riedemann and Bottjen each with one run batted in. Scoring one run apiece were Dain Moermond, Mitchell Enger and Bottjen. Enger drew three bases on balls. Boston Riedemann and Bottjen each swiped a pair of bases.
Bottjen took the pitching loss. He went four innings, allowing five earned runs on seven hits with five walks and two strikeouts. The Wolverines used three relievers. Woodall hurled two-thirds of an inning and yielded three unearned runs on two hits and a walk. Boston Riedemann’s one inning of work included seven earned runs on eight walks, a hit and a hit batter. Grimm pitched a scoreless inning, walking one and giving up one hit.
A-W
1 2 2 0 3 7 0 – 15
S. O’Brien
0 0 2 1 1 3 0 – 7