Tiger baseball tops Merced in tourney opener

The Douglas baseball team got off to a strong start in the Atwater Easter Invitational Monday, taking a 10-0 win over Merced in six innings.

Tyler Hoelzen, who was making his first varsity start after being called up from junior varsity for the week, pitched a complete-game one-hit shutout with six strikeouts and four walks to pick up the win.

On the offensive side, Niko Saladis and Tyler May each drove in two runs and Phil Mannelly, Cory Eilers and Wyatt Graham each doubled.

Mannelly, Ryan Pruitt, Willie Morgan and May each collected two hits as Douglas outhit Merced 12-1.

Eilers, Graham and Brandon Bernard each drove in one run as Douglas improved to 16-4 on the year.

On Saturday, the Tigers swept a doubleheader from Wooster, improving to 11-1 in Sierra League play and 7-0 at home on the year.

Graham picked up the win on the mound in an 11-2 game one, improving to 4-1 on the season.

Senior Nate Whalin picked up the win in game two, an 11-1 victory, running his record to 3-1 on the year.