ELLENSBURG, WA.— The Wildcats drop the opening game of the series against the Wolves 5-2, but come back with a win in game two 6-3.
 
QUOTABLE
"We did a great job bouncing back in game two. We competed well all day, just didn't get the offense going in game one. Our plan tomorrow is to be consistent throughout the day." CWU Head Coach Desi Storey said.

GAME 1
Dillon Larsen toed the rubber to start game one for the 'Cats. Larsen takes care of all three outs in the first, recording a 1-3 groundout followed by two big strikeouts at the top of the Wolves order. Zach Berryman, Justin Hampson and Mitch Lesmeister start the game off with a trio of singles to put the 'Cats on top early, 1-0. After another single by Tyler McClain the 'Cats had the bases loaded again with only one out. Jason Hill takes a base on balls to walk in Justin Hampson for the run. The 'Cats leave the bases loaded but take a 2-0 lead after one.

The 'Cats continue the Larsen show in the top of the 2^nd. Another liner to the mound and a pair of strikeouts makes quick work of the Wolves. The 'Cats go down 1-2-3 to end the 2^nd.

Larsen fans two in the 3^rd but a walk gives the Wolves a baserunner. Wolves steal 2^nd and a two-out single drives in a run, cutting the lead in half, 2-1. Larsen walks two more and a throwing error by the 'Cats allows the Wolves to bring in two more, Wolves now lead 3-2. Larsen ends the inning with a strikeout. Austin Ohland drives one up the middle with one out to give the 'Cats a baserunner. The 'Cats get caught in a 6-4-3 and we head to the 4^th.

The Wolves catch the 'Cats napping with a little small ball, a single follows up to extend the Wolves lead 4-2. The Wolves speed can't catch up as Austin Ohland fans one at second to end the top of the 4^th. The 'Cats go down 1-2-3 again to end the 4^th.

The Wolves kicked off the 5^th with a triple off of the left field fence. Dylan Weese comes in on relief for the 'Cats. Austin Ohland scrambles on a ball in the dirt and catches his 2^nd runner for the Wolves out at second. Weese fans the 3^rd out but a sacrifice fly adds another for the Wolves, they lead the 'Cats 5-2. Hampson gives the 'Cats a baserunner with his second hit of the day but ends up stranded to end the 5^th.

The Wolves pose another threat in the 6^th with runners on first and second with only one out. Zach Berryman over in left chases down a fly ball on the line and doubles up the runner at second to get the 'Cats out of it. The 'Cats still can't find any of that first inning momentum deep in the 6^th and go 1-2-3 again. Wolves lead it after 6 still 5-2.

Weese hits one batter but otherwise makes quick work of the Wolves offense in the top of the 7^th. Wolves go to their bullpen in #10 Trae Perkins. The 'Cats DH hits into another 6-4-3 and an infield fly ends it for the 'Cats.

Weese continues to hold back the Wolves, only allowing a single before getting a swinging strikeout to end the top of the 8^th. Hampson gives the 'Cats a baserunner but again he's left stranded as the 'Cats go down on strikes for out number three.

Weese keeps the Wolves at bay, giving his offense a chance to make the comeback. The 'Cats go 1-2-3 in the 9^th to close it out. The Wildcats fall to the Wolves 5-2, Dillon Larsen charged with the loss.

GAME 2
Josh Toughey got the start for the 'Cats in game two. Toughey gives up a single back up the middle but Jake Engel catches the runner stealing, throwing him out by a mile. The Wolves get another baserunner on a close play by Michael Peter but Toughey gets a fly ball to left field to end the top of the first scoreless. Zach Berryman reaches base on a single, following himself up with a stolen base to put the Wildcats in a good position to strike first. The 'Cats can't find a gap and leave Berryman stranded. 0-0 after one.

Justyn Herzog kicks off the top of the 2^nd with a long ball over the left field fence. Toughey is able to battle back with strike out and two quick outs. Tyler McClain answered quickly for the 'Cats with a double off of the right field wall. Michael Peter hits a line shot through the right side, McCain scores easily and the 'Cats tie it up at 1-1. A line drive snagged by the first basemen ends the second inning. All tied up 2-2.

The Wolves start off the 3^rd with a strikeout by Toughey but answer with a hustle double to put some pressure on the defense. Michael Peter makes a sliding stop to end the Wolves offensive inning. Zach Berryman wears one for the first pitch of the 3^rd, follows it up with his 2^nd stolen base on the day to get in scoring position. Austin Ohland is able to find the outfield with two outs, driving in Berryman to give the 'Cats the lead. Tyler McClain hits a shot down the leftfield line, the leftfielder unable to snag it on a dive, allowing Ohland to score and McClain stands up on second with the RBI double. Justin Culpepper hits a liner through the right side of the infield, McClain comes sprinting around 3^rd and slides by a close throw to swipe the bag. The 'Cats finally go down on strikes, but a three-run inning now gives them the lead, 4-1.

Justin Herzog kicks off the top of the 4^th again with a solo shot into right field, cutting the lead to two. A single, strikeout and a walk will end the day for Toughey. JJ Asinas comes into relief for the 'Cats. Asinas gets two groundouts to end the top of the inning. A four pitch walk to Michael Peter forces the Wolves to go to their bullpen. Jake Engel able to lay down a beautiful bunt, an error by the new reliever allows Engel to reach base. The 'Cats into a 5-3 double play leaving Engel on second. Hampson laces a ball down the right field line for an RBI two-out double. The 'Cats would fly out of the inning, now leading 5-2.

The 'Cats find themselves in a dangerous situation in the top of the fifth inning. A single, hit by pitch and a walk loads the bases with Herzog coming to the plate, already 2-2 with long balls on the day. Herzog hits a sacrifice fly to drive in another run for the Wolves to shorten the 'Cats lead. Asinas walks another and the 'Cats go to Rhyse Fry to get out of the inning. Fry gets a huge strikeout and ground ball to get the 'Cats out of trouble. Austin Ohland draws a walk to start the inning. Adam Fahsel comes in to pinch run. After a successful bunt by McClain to move him over to second, Justin Culpepper lines one through the right side to bring Fahsel around to score tacking on another for the 'Cats. The 'Cats are only able to push the one run across, adding to their lead 6-3 at the end of five.

The Wolves start the inning with a line-out to Lesmeister at third. After a single by the next batter, the Wolves line-out to Culpepper who steps on the bag for the solo double play. The 'Cats go down back-to-back strikeouts. Hampson earns a walk before a line-out ends the 6^th, Wildcats up 6-3.

No need for 'Cats to swing it again, they make quick work of the Wolves in the top of the 7^th. JJ Asinas earns the win and Rhyse Fry earns the save.

Games two and three kick off tomorrow at 12:00 PM.

COVID DISCLAIMER
Per Washington state, Kittitas County Health Board, and the GNAC spectators will not be allowed at events.  Schedules are subject to change at any time pending decisions from the health board and other local and regional authorities.