ST. ELIZABETH, Mo. — The Wildcats’ top four hitters combined to go 12-for-20 with 11 runs batted in and eight runs scored in Tuesday night’s Show-Me Conference demolition of the Hornets.
New Bloomfield (14-7, 5-1 SMC) pushed across two runs in the top of the first and St.Elizabeth produced one in its half of the inning, while the Wildcats tallied three in the second to build a 5-1 advantage. The Hornets came back with three runs in the third to close within a run, but New Bloomfield scored two in the fourth and piled on 10 in the seventh to turn the game into a runaway.
Senior starter Derek Shikles — the Wildcats’ cleanup hitter — finished 2-for-4 with a double, four runs batted in and a run scored to help fuel New Bloomfield’s 17-hit rampage. Senior shortstop Grant Nichols, batting second, went 4-for-6 with a pair of doubles, three RBI and scored three times.
Senior second baseman Clay Jensen — hitting leadoff — was 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored. Senior third baseman Tyler Fennewald, batting third, also finished 3-for-5 with two RBI and scored twice.
Freshman designated hitter Jacob Lane went 2-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored.
Shikles worked six innings to pick up the victory, surrendering four runs — three earned — while scattering five hits. He struck out seven and overcame six walks.
The Wildcats — winners of three in a row — return home for an SMC showdown against South Callaway, ranked ninth in Class 3, at 5 p.m. Friday.