WD sprang to action in the top of the first inning with four runs scored. Cody Reimer led off and reached base on an error. Logan Pitz and Clayton Gibbs followed with singles to load the bases. Jon Brown stepped to the plate and hit a two-run single to give WD a 2-0 lead. Gibbs scored on a ground-out and Brown scored on an error.
"I think our kids had confidence they could compete at that level. They knew that it was important for us to get the lead early, that puts a little pressure on the other team so that was our goal," coach Casey Bryant said.
Starting pitcher Matt Kass kept the Wahlert bats quiet in the first inning as WD held onto a 4-0 lead.
With two outs in the second inning, WD kept working. Logan Pitz hit a double and Clayton Gibbs reached base after being hit by a pitch, but both were left stranded.
"I think probably a big key in the game was when we had a couple guys in scoring
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Wahlert cut WD's lead to one run in the bottom of the second inning with three runs on three hits. The Golden Eagles jumped ahead, 9-4, with a six-run fourth inning, during which they benefited from five walks.
"Matt's a nice pitcher for us, but he's a little inconsistent, he just didn't have it that night," Bryant lamented.
The Bobcats were able to get on base, but weren't able to make the key hits to make a run at Wahlert.
Pitz led WD, batting 3-for-4. Tyler Ernzen was 2-for-3 and Brown 2-for-4. Cody Reimer and Clayton Gibbs each had one hit.
Kass pitched the loss. He struck out five, walked nine and allowed eight runs on six hits. Miles Langel pitched 2 1/3 innings of relief. He struck out one, walked two and allowed three runs on three hits.