Tigers win season opener over Waltrip
By MIKE KONVICKA mkonvicka@journal-spectator.com

Contributed photo by Marguerite Ciruti Returning lettermen Here are the returning lettermen on this year's Wharton baseball team. Front row from left, Lucas Munoz, Taylor Ustynik, Cody Boatwright, Kris Looper and Michael Mata. Back row, JD Rivera, Robert Herrera, Ben Williams, David Horta and Brian Cervenka.

HOUSTON - Wharton's baseball team exploded for six runs in the fourth and five in the sixth to come away with a 11-0 season opener win over Waltrip Tuesday night at Delmar Field.

Wharton had a tough start as six of the first nine players struck out.

"I'm going, 'My goodness I don't know if we are going to make contact,'" said Wharton coach Floyd Ciruti.

"But then we got going and moved the ball when we needed to."

Cody Boatwright started for Wharton and went five innings. He went gave up two hits while walking two and striking out seven. Robert Herrera retired the Rams in order in the sixth.

Wharton's fourth inning burst started when Kris Looper doubled. Jesmon Grant singled and Lucas Munoz walked to load the bases.

Brian Cervenka walked and Looper scored. Chris Acuna reached on a fielder's choice as Grant was forced at the plate.

Taylor Ustynik walked and Munoz scored. J.D. Rivera then crushed the ball over the fence for a grand slam.

"That kind of put the game out of reach, because the way my pitchers were going" said Ciruti.

The sixth started when Cervenka singled.

Acuna walked and Ustynik struck out but reached on an error.

Rivera singled home Cervenka. Justin Lathon struck out but reached on an error and Acuna scored.

Looper then walked to load the bases and Munoz followed with a two-run double.

Munoz singled in the second, Ustynik singled in the third and Looper had a base hit in the fifth.

The Tigers totaled eight hits in the game.

"We've got a good group that seems to be playing, working good together."

Wharton dropped a 6-1 decision to Beaumont Westbrook in the Houston Christian Tournament on Thursday.

The game was moved to Tiger Field because of wet field conditions at Baseball USA in Houston.

Weather permitting, Wharton played Pasadena at Strake Jesuit Field Friday night in Pasadena.

The Tigers will play Barbe, La., at 2 p.m. today at Baseball USA and Houston Christian at 7 p.m.

Wharton hosts county rival Boling Tuesday in a 7:30 p.m. contest.