WMS baseball scores early to hold off Bonny Eagle

By Matt Pascarella

In Windham Middle School’s final baseball home game for eighth grade athletes, the Eagles scored several runs early in the game against Bonny Eagle and took a commanding lead on Wednesday, May 27. The Scots began making a comeback but ran out of time and Windham won, 13-7.

Windham seventh grader Cody Devoid bats during a middle
school baseball game against Bonny Eagle at Windham High
School. PHOTO  BY MATT PASCARELLA 

“We were hitting better than the last game we played,” said Windham seventh grader Wesson LeDuc. “Our energy was a lot better; we were just better overall. Everyone was getting the bat on the ball, finding a hole and running the bases well. Pitching (needs work.) As long as our pitchers are throwing strikes and we’re getting the bat to the ball, that’s how you win games.”

The first inning began for Windham with seventh grader Cody Devoid who walked. Eighth grader Nolan Harvie singled and Devoid advanced to third base. Eighth grader Robbie Sanicola walked and now the bases are loaded.

Eighth grader Eli Souther singled and advanced to second base. His hit brought in Devoid and Harvie.

A ground out and Sanicola scored. After one inning, Windham led 3-0.

Bonny Eagle scored a run in the second inning.

The second inning for Windham was where they really took the game from the Scots, putting an impressive eight runs up on the scoreboard.

Seventh grader Bronson Bassett reached first base on an error. Eighth grader Nolan Works reached first base on a fielder’s choice. After a walk, Devoid hit a ground ball and reached first base.

Harvie singled and Works scored. Sanicola hit a fly ball and reached first base. Seventh grader Brandon Foster scored. Souther hit a fly ball to center field and brought in Devoid and Harvie. Sanicola was on second base.

“We hit the ball well, great energy in the dugout, pitching was good,” said Harvie, who pitched three innings with five strikeouts. “We just shut the door on the other team. Leaders did a good job coming in but we got to make sure we’re throwing strikes, especially if we have that energy because that’s what wins ball games.”

Souther stole second and Sanicola scored on a wild pitch after stealing third base.

Eighth grader Brayden Morgan walked. Morgan stole second base on a wild pitch, and Souther scored. LeDuc singled.

Bassett singled and LeDuc stole his way home to score. After two innings, Windham led 11-1.

Eagle defense kept the Scots from crossing home plate too many times in the third and fourth innings.

Windham offense scored twice in the third inning. 

Bonny Eagle scored two runs in the sixth inning but still trailed Windham significantly. The Scots made a last-ditch effort in the top of the seventh inning, but Windham had run away with this game.

“We always want to be swinging for pitches that are in the strike zone,” said WMS baseball coach Charlie Reiniger. “We want to get bat to ball and put it in play and defensively I spend the first two weeks of our practices just doing our infield and outfield. Our game plan is making sure we do our thing, and not to worry about stuff that we can’t control. For the first part of the game, guys came ready to play and a lot of that has to do with the fact that it was our eighth graders’ last game (at home). They really wanted it and the seventh graders understood the importance of (scoring) early in that game. These guys have learned to run the bases well, our hitting has been very, very good this year. They work really hard in practice and have bought into the program. Last two games of the year we want to continue to improve our baseball IQ.” <