Joe Rodriguez hit a go-ahead RBI double during the fourth inning Tuesday as the Blair Junior Legion baseball team started its season with a 6-4 win against Wahoo Post 82 at Vets Field.
“It's a great way to open the season,” the Post 154 catcher said. “A boost in morale. A little more confidence to start the season off.”
Rodriguez also pushed across the Bears' first run of the summer campaign during the first inning. Ethan Baessler scored, putting the home team ahead before Wahoo responded with three straight runs of its own.
The visitors led 3-1 through 2.5 innings before Hunter Travis' sacrifice in the third frame and Blair's four-run fourth. The game-tying run scored on an error before the Rodriguez double put Post 154 ahead.
Baessler and pinch-runner Kolton Hammer scored later in the inning, pushing the Bears' advantage to 6-3. Coach AJ Bilslend's team took advantage of Wahoo miscues throughout the fourth frame to jump out ahead.
“It helps the team,” Rodriguez said. “It helps me when I go up there. Makes me more confident.”
Blair pitcher Nathan Wachter closed out the victory after relieving Blaine Rosenbaum, the opening-day starter.
The Post 154 Juniors next play 5:30 p.m. today at Nebraska City. They then host Fort Calhoun on Tuesday at the same time.
