Wilson “figures things out” as Bulls take win off Robinson

Bulls senior Trey Wilson struck out 11 in his season debut, earning his first win as Bloomingdale held of Robinson for a 4-3 win on opening night (813Preps file photo).

By Brett Goodrich 
Correspondent 

VALRICO – In a pitching dominated game, a few defensive miscues led to runs for both Bloomingdale and Robinson in Tuesday’s season opener, as the Bulls held off a late rally from the Knights for a 4-3 win at home.

After being silenced in the top half of the first, Robinson’s starting pitcher Nathan Jennewein, retired the Bulls first two hitters on called strikes. Senior Robert Rossi swung at his first pitch and sent it towards shortstop, and an off-target throw allowed Rossi to reach second base. Five pitches later, senior Alex Vazquez hit a no-doubter off the of the Bulls 2021 State Championship sign beyond the left field wall.

After stranding runners on the corners in the second inning, Robinson (0-1) was able to break the silence in the third. Senior Jeremiah Henderson started the rally with a one-out double that missed his barrel, yet still short hopped the centerfield fence. Ian Ayers followed this up with a flared single just over the outstretched shortstop’s glove in shallow left field, and having to make a very difficult read, Henderson stayed at second. With runners aboard, a pickoff attempt to second base missed its mark and allowed both runners to advance ninety feet. Senior Tucker Wehrman made that hurt with a timely sacrifice fly to center field, where the throw home was a bit too late, allowing Ayers to come across for run number two.

When going back out for the fourth inning, pitcher Trey Wilson already had 53 pitches thrown, but he was just starting to settle in. He could be seen making mechanical adjustments throughout the game and looked his best in the later innings of work. The Bulls opening night starter faced a minimum of nine hitters in the latter part of his start, retiring six of them on strikeouts. Wilson exited after 98 pitches through six innings with 11 strikeouts, two walks, two hits and an earned run.

Bloomingdale coach Kris Wilken and starter Wilson agreed that the big righty did not have his best stuff on opening night; however, he was able to battle and keep his team in the game.

Wilson stated he “felt a little off,” adding: “I started figuring out what I was doing wrong and how to make an adjustment. [I] lost it a little there in the second and third inning(s) and then started getting back to it the later innings.”

Wilken claimed that despite not having his best stuff, “that was one of his best performances.”

Ayers took the mound in relief in the fifth where he escaped trouble, leaving the bases loaded. He did not have the same luck in the following inning. After a quick pop out to start, Ayers gave up a four-pitch walk to Tyler Collins and an opposite field line drive by Alvin Cruz, which marks the freshman’s first career hit. A wild pitch advanced both runners into scoring position, drawing in the infield in an attempt to cut down on the go ahead run, Vincent Dinzeo Jr hit a hot shot to the second baseman, who fielded the ball cleanly and quickly fired home. The throw took the catcher into the lefty’s batters’ box, allowing Clinton to sneak in just under the tag for the go-ahead-run. Lead off hitter Dawson Harmon then hit a ground ball that took the shortstop, Ryan Shawdy, to his right. Knowing his only play was to third, Shawdy made a great play but was unable to record the out at third. This allowed Cruz to come across for the eventual winning run.

Johnny Delarosa came on to pitch the seventh inning for the Bulls and earned the save, but not before Robinson senior Alex DeLise tattooed a ball over the right field fence for a homerun, the first of his career, to bring the Knights to within one run. The hopeful comeback was short-lived as Delarosa was able to retire the next three hitters on nine pitches, including two backward K’s.

Jennewein also had a gutsy performance, finishing with four innings pitched, eight strikeouts, allowing five hits, with no walks or earned runs.

Bloomingdale will play at Sumner on Friday night, while Robinson’s home-opener will be Thursday night against Alonso.

⚾⚾⚾⚾

(#13) Bloomingdale 4, Robinson 3

R 002|000|1 – |3|3|2
B 200|002|x – |4|9|1
W – Wilson (1-0); L – Ayres (0-1); S – De La Rosa (1)
2B – Henderson (R); HR – DeLise (R); Vazquez (B). Records – R (0-1); B (1-0).

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