HUMBOLDT — Cubs’ junior Rylan Wilhite threw a shutout on Monday night as Humboldt rolled over Eureka, 15-0, in game one.
That is not too surprising for anyone. Shutting down opposing offenses is what Wilhite does. She has been the Cubs’ ace all year and that won’t be changing anytime soon.
In game two’s 13-0 Cub victory, Humboldt coach Brad Piley decided to expand his pitching staff of one to include Wilhite’s classmate Sydney Houk.
Houk couldn’t even remember the last time that she pitched in a game, but she speculated that it was probably during youth “Rec Ball.”
Not only that, but it had been two years since she had even tried pitching.
Pitching must be like riding a bike because it came back to Houk very quickly. She threw five shutout innings and guided the Cubs to a 13-0 victory.
“I did a lot better than I expected, I’m pretty proud of myself,” Houk said.
And she should be, after finishing the game with only two hits and one walk allowed.
“She did an excellent job,” Piley said. “She came out and did really well.”
At the plate, freshman catcher Winter Snyder and sophomore third baseman Maggie Johnson led the Cubs with two hits each.
Humboldt scored ten runs in the first inning then added a run an inning after that until they built their final margin.
GAME ONE
Wilhite will not be ceding her position to Houk, however.
The junior was even more dominant in Humboldt’s 15-0 three-inning victory in game one.
Wilhite threw all three innings and struck out five while allowing only one base runner (a hit) the entire way.
Snyder again was the catalyst at the plate by going 3-for-3 in the game.
NEW STARTER
Freshman Alayna Johnson earned the start in left field in the place of Morgan Mauk, who moves to center for the injured Aricah McCall.
“I’m proud of Alayna for stepping up into a big position as a freshman,” Houk said.
Senior Kira McReynolds got the start at designated player and hit for Johnson.
UP NEXT
Houk’s start helped keep Wilhite fresh for tonight’s doubleheader in Erie.
“Rylan will pitch two games tomorrow so that is why I wanted Sydney to pitch tonight,” Piley said.
