Nothing stronger than Wood

Pennsville senior left-hander collects his 200th career strikeout in Eagles’ 7-1 win at Williamstown

MONDAY SALEM COUNTY BASEBALL
Pennsville 7, Williamstown 1
Woodstown 9, Kings Christian 3
Paulsboro 10, Salem 0

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WILLIAMSTOWN – Luke Wood had already thrown a lot of pitches. He was already down to his last pitch of the day. But there was no way he was going to the hitter get away – whether he was for a milestone or not.

The crafty Pennsville left-hander got his man for his 11th strikeout of the game on his 111th pitch in the Eagles’ 7-1 Easter Monday win over Williamstown. More importantly, that last strikeout was the 200th of his career – not that he pays attention to such things.

“I had no clue I was even close; I kind of just came out and played,” Wood said. “I didn’t even realize it until they tossed me the ball in our (post-game) huddle.

“Strikeouts or whatnot never really mattered to me. I kind of just care about going out and getting outs. Obviously, it’s cool. All milestones are really cool and it’s really cool to have 200, but my only goal is just to win games. I could really care less, as long as I get outs.”

He gave the Eagles what coach Matt Karr called a “dominant performance, an outing we’ve come to expect from him over the last four years.” And it was a win they needed after losing to winless Cumberland and collapsing defensively against Haddon Heights in their last two games.

Wood had a no-hitter for 3 2/3 innings and gave up just two hits in his 6 2/3. The run the Braves scored in the first inning was unearned. Both of his walks came in that inning.

It was the sixth time in his career Wood has had double-digit strikeouts and the 23^rd time he’s thrown at least three innings with six or more strikeouts.

“I think I did just about what I do every single time I step on the mound,” he said. “I don’t think I had anything special about me, maybe the fastball worked a little better. I just think overall today we played really well defensively. It really wasn’t stressful pitching at all.”

His teammates made it easier by giving him a 3-1 lead in the third and extending it to 5-1 in the fourth. Wood’s last six outs all came by strikeout. 

The Eagles threatened early in the game, but it wasn’t until the third inning they were able to break through. They got three hits in the first inning, but didn’t score and ran into two outs on the basepaths. They also loaded the bases with three two-out singles in the second and came up empty thanks to a web gem by Braves first baseman Caleb Lopez.

They finally broke through in the third with Mason O’Brien ripping a two-run double and Jeff Wagner delivering a sacrifice fly. Cohen Petrutz’ two-run double made it 5-1 in the fourth. Connor Starn, who got the last out behind Wood in the seventh, doubled home a run in the sixth and Gavin Spears singled home a run in the seventh.

“The pregame speech to the guys today was whatever happens you have to play innings one through seven,” Karr said. “To come out here, on the road, we got on the bus at 8 in the morning, and play a complete game like that … was awesome. This was a really good win for us.”

Pennsville senior outfielder Chase Burchfield went into the game needed two RBIs to reach the 100-mark to go with the 100th career hit he collected Monday. He went 2-for-3 and scored twice against the Braves but didn’t drive a run home. His next chance comes Tuesday at Penns Grove.

Wood also had a hit in the game, leaving with six shy of another milestone – 100 for his career.

WOODSTOWN 9, KING’S CHRISTIAN 3: Jack Holladay gave up two hits and struck out seven in five shutout innings and Dante Holmes had three RBIs as the Wolverines (6-4) snapped a two-game losing streak. Rocco String went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles. Walker Battavio had two hits and Chase Harding had two RBIs.

PAULSBORO 10, SALEM 0: Matt Hill held the Rams to two hits and Kayden Weber homered to help the Red Raiders get their first win of the season. Hill threw 85 pitches over six innings and struck out 10, while walking just one. Chase Davis and Terrell Robinson had Salem’s two hits.