The Wahkiakum Mules will head out to square off against the Rainier Mountaineers at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Both come into the game bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
On Monday, Wahkiakum needed a bit of extra time to put away Ocosta. They came out on top in a nail-biter against the Wildcats, sneaking past 7-5. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Mules.
Cooper Carlson
| 04/28/25 @ Ocosta | 0 |
| 04/14/25 @ Oakville | 1 |
| 03/22/25 vs Ocosta | 1 |
Cooper Carlson made a splash no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, tossing 2.2 innings while giving up no earned runs or hits. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than one hit in three consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-4 with two runs, one stolen base, and one double.
In other pitching news, Parker Leitz and Aiden Scott dominated on the mound. Leitz tossed 3.2 innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits, while Scott struck out seven batters over 3.2 innings while giving up just one earned (and three unearned) runs off four hits (and only one walk). Leitz has been consistent recently: he hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances.
Back at the plate, Rusty Morrison was excellent, getting on base in three of his six plate appearances with two stolen bases and one RBI. Israel Velke was another key player, getting on base in three of his five plate appearances with one run and one RBI.
Wahkiakum kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 13 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, Rainier came tearing into Monday's contest with three straight wins (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 13.7 runs), and they left with even more momentum. They blew past the Timberwolves 11-1.
Dayton Gardner was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, he struck out six batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs or hits (and only one walk). Those six strikeouts gave him a new career-high. He was also big at the plate, getting on base in all three of his plate appearances with two runs. Rainier is undefeated when Gardner posts two or more runs, but 4-10 otherwise.
In other batting news, Rainier got a big performance out of Peyton Sheaffer, who got on base in all three of his plate appearances with two stolen bases and three runs. Sheaffer has become a key player for the Mountaineers: the team is 2-1 when he posts at least two stolen bases, but 5-9 otherwise. The team also got some help courtesy of Blake Fennel, who went a perfect 1-for-1 with two runs, one stolen base, and one RBI.
Wahkiakum's record now sits at 9-2. As for Rainier, their record is now 7-10.
Wahkiakum beat Rainier 12-8 when the teams last played back in April of 2024. Do the Mules have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Mountaineers turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
