SALEM, OH- West Branch stayed in control Wednesday night and knocked off rival Salem 6-2 in a steady all-around performance.

Salem struck first with a bases-loaded walk in the opening frame, but West Branch didn’t blink. Carson Wike roped a shot down the line to tie it up in the second, then the Warriors blew the game open in the fourth. Grady Close and Anthony Perry came up clutch with RBI singles, helping West Branch hang a four-spot and flip the momentum for good.

Wike got it done on the bump too, tossing five strong innings. He gave up just one hit and one earned while working around four walks. Dominic Fotheringham came in to slam the door with two clean innings of relief.

Offensively, Perry led the charge with two knocks, and Drake Stryffeler was chaos on the basepaths, swiping three bags. The Warriors worked six free passes and stole five bases total, putting constant pressure on Salem’s defense.

The Quakers couldn’t get much going at the plate—Ben Kuboff, Keegan Sommers, and Derek Oesch each had a hit, but the bats never found a rhythm.

West Branch is back in action Thursday, hitting the road to face Carrollton.

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