Both the Paden City Wildcat and Tyler Consolidated varsity baseball teams have had slow starts to the 2011 baseball season. Though separated by county lines and WVSSAC classifications, both teams seem to be more similar than not with inexperienced players, pitching woes and long and wearisome schedules.

Wildcats

Paden City changed up their schedule a little and traveled to Bishop Donahue on March 22 but wound up with the loss when all was said and done, 17-2. Bishop plated five runners in the first inning and nine in the third to do the ‘Cats in.

The Cats’ utilized three pitchers in James Baker, Matt Barker, and Trey Leonard with Jared Stewart at the catchers position. The only hits credited with coming off Wildcat bats were from Baker and Taylor Still, each singling.

Paden City hosted the Bishops on Monday and again found themselves coming out on the short end of the deal to the tune of 19-7.

Both teams matched up well in the first inning, with each plating seven runs apiece. The Bishops took the lead by two in the second and four in the third to distance themselves from their hosts, eventually taking the win with a six run fifth inning.

Barker took the loss on the mound for the ‘Cats, walking six and striking out four. Leonard also saw time on the mound.

At the plate, Zach Yost singled and doubled for two RBI’s; Baker, Still, Stewart and Barker each singled to collect one RBI apiece; and Jay Billiter, doubled.

The Wildcats are scheduled to play at St. Marys on Wednesday and at Tyler Consolidated on April 1.

Silver Knights

The Silver Knights opened up their season on the road with a Saturday game in New Martinsville against the Magnolia Blue Eagles. A 13 run fourth inning by the home team told the story of the game, and put a notch on the loss side of the Knights win/loss record, 22-0.

Dalton Wells and Blaise Rice each saw time on the mound in the game for the Silver.

Seniors Zack Knowlton and Cody Laugh each singled in the game.

The Silver Knights finally got in a home game as they played host to Doddridge County on Monday at Tyler Consolidated.

The Bulldogs were quick to strike first blood, putting a run on their side of the scoreboard in the first inning while allowing none to score on the home side. Slowly, but surely, the Bulldogs one and two-runned their way through the rest of the innings to eventually take the win, 12-0.

Doddridge scored 12 runs on 10 hits and committed one error in the game, while the Silver had four hits and five errors.

Dalton Wells took the loss at the pitchers position for the home team, walking two and striking out four. Dalton Parsons also saw time on the mound.

At the plate, Cody Laugh hit two singles; and Garrett Amos and Parsons singled.

The Silver Knights were scheduled to play at Monroe Central on March 29 and host Central on March 30. The team will host Ritchie County on March 31 and with Paden City on April 1.