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Staying alive: Wolverines rout Bryan Adams for matchup against Highland Park
BY Chris O’Dell, codell@starlocalnews.com
After an opening-round series with McKinney North that went to a third and decisive game, Wakeland needed a quick series in the area round.
The Wolverines got exactly that with their two-game sweep over Bryan Adams after winning Game 1, 10-0, and taking the second game by a final of 15-0.
“[The series against North] was pretty stressful on our arms and on our pitching,” said Barry Rose, Wakeland head coach. “It was nice to have one where we didn’t have to sweat it out.”
The senior righty fired a perfect game in a five-inning victory and struck out 13 of the 15 batters he faced.
“That was all we needed in Game 1,” Rose said. “[Nixon] was really sharp in that one.”
Nixon also helped his own cause at the plate by going 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a run scored. That offense contributed to Wakeland’s nine-run second inning after both teams went scoreless in the first.
“I thought we swung the bats well,” Rose said. “We were pretty consistent throughout our lineup.”
Game 2 was much of the same, as senior Willie Schwanke followed Nixon’s perfect game with a complete game shutout of his own.
The six-inning win put Wakeland’s season mark at 25-9 and gave the Wolverines a regional quarterfinals matchup against Highland Park.
“[Highland Park] is a quality team,” Rose said. “They’re a lot like we are.”
The two teams met in last year’s postseason with the series needing a third game to determine a winner. After Wakeland took the opener, 12-7, Highland Park came back in Game 2 with an 8-6 victory to force a decisive Game 3.
The Wolverines took the series after prevailing for an 8-6 win of their own in that one before dropping a one-game set to Mesquite Poteet in the following round.
“[Highland Park] is always tough and they returned five guys from their starting lineup last year,” Rose said.
The two teams began the series with a Thursday night game at Grand Prairie’s Quik Trip Park (results not available as of press time) before resuming action with a 7:30 p.m. Game 2 tonight from the same location.
A potential third game would also be played at Quik Trip Park, with the two teams slated for a 1 p.m. matchup tomorrow.
“[Quik Trip Park] is a nice place to play,” Rose said. “We would have preferred to stay at Dr Pepper Ballpark but it’s a good venue.”
With Highland Park likely the most dangerous team the Wolverines have faced in the postseason, Rose said his team needs a quick start in the series.
“It’s big to get that Game 1 win under your belt,” he said. “We need to get off to a good start in this one.”
Nixon was slated for the start in the opener with Schwanke likely getting the nod in tonight’s Game 2.
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