(Atlantic) Atlantic senior Kale Jensen delivered in a clutch moment for the Trojans in Tuesday’s season opener.
Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the seventh inning, Hudson McLaren drew a walk before Sawyer Tarrell reached on an error, moving McLaren to third. Tarrell then stole second to put two runners in scoring position with no outs. Jensen followed with a deep fly ball to center field, bringing home both McLaren and Tarrell to lift Atlantic to a 2-1 victory over West Central Valley.
Muller got the start for Atlantic and issued walks to the first two West Central Valley hitters, Colton Lindsay and Cade Lane. Lindsay later scored on an error to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead, an advantage they held until the bottom of the seventh inning. Muller settled in and dominated, striking out four of the next five batters he faced. The senior gave up four hits while striking out eight and walking three over four innings on the mound. Jensen took over the pitching duties in the top of the fifth inning and dominated, striking out nine consecutive batters.
Jensen finished 2-for-2 at the plate with two walks, while Sawyer Tarrell reached base three times with a single and two walks, ending the game 1-for-2.
Tryce Dlouhy, Joel Madison, Cooper Johnson, and Hyrum Egger each hit singles for the Wildcats. West Central Valley threatened to add to its lead in the top of the third inning with three two-out singles, but Muller ended the rally with a strikeout. Atlantic responded in the bottom of the inning by loading the bases with one out after singles from Tarrell and Jensen and a walk by Gavin McLaren. But Dlouhy worked out of the jam, recording a strikeout and inducing a groundout to end the threat.
The Trojans start the season 1-0. West Central Valley falls to 1-1 on the season.
