WHEATLAND – The Wheatland/Torrington rivalry is as hot on the diamond as in any other sport the two communities compete in. On another sweltering June day, the Lobos bats were also scorching, scoring 27 runs and 30 hits in a double-header sweep June 22.

In the first game, the Lobos jumped on the Tigers in the first inning with two runs and never lost the lead, pouring on the steam having double digit runs by the fourth inning. A late rally was initiated but squashed by the once again masterful accuracy and heat from the arm of Mytchell Pollock who racked up eight more strikeouts in route to the win. JP Anderson also came on after the fourth inning and closed the door on any hopes for a comeback earned the save.

Cross Hernandez, Noah Whitfield and Pollock were fierce at the plate again pounding out three hits apiece with Ned Hageman doing his part leading the team by sending three Lobos across the plate. Final score, Wheatland 13, Torrington 7

In the nightcap, the Lobos had a slow start, and the fans began to worry they had spent all their run money in the first game. At the bottom of the fourth, with Torrington leading 1-0 and a Torrington pitcher who was mowing down Lobos like a St. Valentine’s Day massacre, the Lobos woke from their slumber and put together the best three-inning stretch they’ve had all season.

After scoring six in the fifth which would have been enough for the win, they went on to add two more in the sixth and six more in the seventh to pay off their insurance policy.

Hernandez kept up his heated pace at the plate and led the team with three hits, although Hageman, Pollock, Adam Suko and Anderson all added two hits apiece. Both Hageman and Suko drove in three runs apiece to pace Wheatland. Hernandez, Pollock and Suko each recorded a double bagger.

Other than a four-run rally in the sixth inning, Hageman was impressive on the mound, registering the win and gathering seven K’s. Ryland Petroski came on in relief and earned the save.

“I felt like Mytch and Ned pitched well,” said Lobo head baseball coach Mick Cochran. “We had some errors and walks and that allowed Torrington to get into their pitch counts, but our bullpen was able to hold them off. Ryland and JP were solid and came in and threw outs. We are swinging it well right now, if that continues it will be a fun post season.”

Tonight, Wheatland is in Cheyenne for a double-header that starts at 5 p.m. This weekend they will travel to Scottsbluff, Neb. for the WESTCO tournament with times yet to be determined.