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Weirton Makes Impressive Baseball Debut in Wheeling Against Linsly

Photo by Cody Tomer/ Linsly’s Gage Giovengo throws the ball home in an attempt to retire Weir High’s Michael Mills during their game Thursday at Holloway Field in Wheeling.

WHEELING — The Weir High baseball team has some lofty goals for the 2017 campaign. The Red Riders did nothing to lower those expectations in their season debut Thursday.

Coach Jason Angle’s veteran team turned in a impressive performance at Holloway Field, downing Linsly by a 13-4 count. The game was halted after six innings due to darkness.

“We have had good vibes all during our preseason practices. We had bad vibes after our regional finals loss last year. But this is an experienced and focused group,” Angle said. “They had a bad taste in their mouths on how last season ended. They have been positive from the first practice this spring.”

Weir wasted no time exhibiting its potency, scoring nine runs in the first two innings.

The Red Riders also possess one of the premier pitchers in the Ohio Valley in Michael Mills. The hard-throwing senior, who went 8-0 last season, was sharp in the route-going effort, striking out five and walking one.

“Michael had a great season last spring and got off to a good start (here). It was nice to give him early run support,” Angle said. “Linsly is a well-coached and quality program. It’s a good way for us to begin the season.

“We have a tight-knit bunch. They are a very unselfish group. They are fun to coach. We are excited about this season. We have some things we want to achieve.”

Weir jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Chris Gillette delivered the big blow — a two-run single.

The Red Riders broke matters open in the second, pushing across six more runs. Levi Mikula doubled in two, while Ryan Bodrog and Gillette each delivered run-scoring singles.

Thereafter, Mills was on cruise control with a nine-run cushion at his disposal. He did yield a pair of runs in each of the second and third innings, the latter two coming off a homer run over the center-field fence by senior first baseman Floid Giddings.

“We knew we were facing a real good team in Weir. We dug a big hole early but we did keep battling. We had some good at-bats,” Linsly coach Jay Cartwright said. “We need to make some more plays in the field and tighten up our defense.

“We got to look at some of our pitchers which will help us down the line. Playing good teams will only you make you better. Weir is a very good team. They earned this win.”

Gillette, Mikula and Bodrog all produced two hits each for the Red Riders. Gillette, who reached base four times, ended with four RBI.

Five Linsly hurlers combined for two strikeouts and nine walks. They also beaned two other Red Riders.

Warren Saunders had a single and double for Linsly, the reigning OVAC 3-A champion. The Cadets are 1-1 and welcome Mercersburg Academy at 12:30 on Saturday in a twinbill.

Weir swings back into action today, playing host to Wheeling Central.

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