Wedekind ices down Rockets

Princeton’s Brik Wedekind was Friday’s winning pitcher.

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PRINCETON — Brik Wedekind and the Princeton Tigers made the best of three hits Friday at Prather Field.

They scored two runs in the second inning with just one hit and scored two more in the third on two hits. Wedekind took care of the rest, throwing six scoreless innings, before turning the ball over to reliever Ryne Vrana for the finishing touches on a 4-1 win.

“We took advantages of some walks they gave us and stole some bases,” PHS coach John Cruz said. “For the first time out, Brik threw well. And he got good defense behind.”

Wedekind, who depended on Ibuprofen and ice to combat a sore arm this week, struck out six and allowed just one hit. He continued to mow down the Rockets, backed by some exceptional defenses from his friends in blue and white. Drew Compton sucked up everything at shortstop like Ozzie Smith, his parents’ former neighbor in St. Louis, and Zac Marquis made a snowcone catch in right.

The defense was so good, Wedekind said he might have to take the boys to the Prime Quarter for a reward.

The game was just the second of the year for the Tigers and first at home.

“We do play some ball in Princeton,” Cruz said, noting the inclement, but typical North Central Illinois spring weather.

Junior catcher Reid Clary continued his early season hot hitting with a lead-off line single in the second to left. Brock Schmidt walked, but was forced at second on a grounder by Michael Murray, sending Clary to third. Clary scored on a dropped ball by the first baseman. Murray scooted home on a wild pitch to make it 2-0.

Wedekind walked to lead off the second and stole second. Daniel Murray joined him on base with another before Clary ripped a double to right-center, to score Wedekind. Brock Schmidt followed with a single past the first base bag to plate Clary for a 4-0 lead.

• Notes: Clary’s two hits Friday gave him five straight, including three to finish the season opener at Earlville.... The Kittens had plenty of power Friday, with a three-run homer by Jacob Fisher and a solo shot by Southern Foster, but fell 10-8 to Rockridge. PHS entertains Midland for a 10 a.m. double-dip back at Prather Field Saturday. Cruz will send Schmidt to the mound for the first game and Michael Murray for the second.

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