Dinger leads Warriors past Hawks

WASILLA -- What a difference an inning can make.

The Wasilla Warriors scored four runs in the first inning en route to a 4-1 win over Houston at Carl Fritzler Field Tuesday.

The offensive output in the first inning was all Wasilla needed as Warrior pitchers Eddie Thomas and Jimbo Ressler scattered five hits over seven innings.

Thomas, Wasilla's starter, earned the win, while Ressler pitched the final two innings to pick up the save.

Ben Fauske hit a two-run home run to cap off Wasilla's four-run first. Fauske's dinger came with two outs and a runner on first.

"I kept my head down and drove," Fauske said. "I didn't think I hit it out at first."

Fauske took the inside pitch and drove it just over the left center field fence. The home run was the first of the season for Fauske.

Two of the first three Wasilla hitters of the first inning were hit by pitches. Houston starter Scott Lee hit Shane Colgrove to start the inning. Following a Thomas ground out, Lee plunked Ressler in the head.

"It was a junk ball," Ressler said. "I thought it was going to break. I watched it literally."

Ressler was hit by a Lee pitch twice in the contest. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Ressler took a ball to the kidney.

"The first I took notice, but didn't think it was meant for me," Ressler said. "The second, I was a little suspicious."

Ressler had good opportunity to retaliate in the sixth inning. When Ressler relieved Thomas, the first hitter he faced was Lee.

"Retaliation is not the thing," Ressler said. "I felt much better getting him out. I wish I K'd him."

Houston got on the scoreboard in the top of the third inning. Hawk freshman catcher Larry Kincaid singled deep to left field. The hit allowed Taylor Richey to score for Houston.

Kincaid doubled down the left field line to lead off the sixth inning for Houston. Following Kincaid's second hit of the game, Wasilla went to the bullpen and put Ressler on the mound.

Normally a starter for the Warriors, Ressler tallied the final six outs for Wasilla.

"Sometimes I got to drop the hammer," Ressler said. "Come in and save the game."

Ressler struck out four Hawks and allowed three hits in two innings of relief.

Fauske led the Warriors at the plate with two hits and two runs batted in. Dan Mahoney and David Sandvick also drove in runs.

Ressler, Richard Gauntt and Chase Korsmo also had hits for Wasilla.

Kincaid led the Hawks with two singles and an RBI.

Jamie Bennett, Wade Williams and James Hundley also had hits for Houston.

"The kids played well," Houston head coach Tim Weeks said. "We're still pretty young."