Fennewald, Shikles power New Bloomfield past Belle

Back-to-back home runs from junior third baseman Tyler Fennewald and junior catcher Derek Shikles in the top of the first inning powered the Wildcats to a 10-7 victory, their first win of the season Monday night.

Fennewald smacked a three-run shot and Shikles followed with a solo blast to kick off the scoring for New Bloomfield (1-6).

The Wildcats logged two more runs in the second. Belle scored once in the second, then tallied two in the fourth cut its deficit to 6-3.

New Bloomfield put together another four-run outburst in the seventh, then yielded four runs to the Tigers in the bottom of the inning before closing the game out.

Fennewald finished 4-for-4 with four RBIs to guide the Wildcats' 15-hit assault. Senior center fielder Tucker Lane was 2-for-3 with an RBI, Shikles went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and junior pitcher Clay Jensen finished 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Senior left fielder Brady Wiler was 1-for-3 with an RBI and a double and senior second baseman Sam Niedergerke went 1-for-3.

Jensen allowed six earned runs on seven hits in six innings to log the victory. He walked four and struck out three.

The Wildcats played a pair of games on Saturday in Ashland. Host Southern Boone edged New Bloomfield 4-3, while the Wildcats were blanked by Linn 2-0 in Show-Me Conference play.

The Wildcats - the No. 3 seed in the Calvary Lutheran/New Bloomfield Tournament - host No. 6 Tuscumbia at 4 p.m. Friday.