Going into the home stretch of the 2004 baseball season, the Oxford Wildcats are struggling a bit, losing three out of four games this past week against division rivals Linden and Fenton.
Against the Linden Eagles, Oxford came out with a 1-1 split in the series. Game one brought about an unfortunate 6-2 loss at the hands of Linden’s ace pitcher Parsons, who only allowed the Wildcats two runs on seven hits.
Game two brought better luck for the Cats, who won the game by a 14-8 decision, exploding offensively after what seemed to be a dry game one.
Oxford’s starting pitcher Ryan Stull not only succeeded on the mound, but also contributed his own two hits and three RBIs. Additionally, right-fielder Brett Brammer hit a single, double and triple for the second time this season in one game, also driving in four runs.
On May 20, the Wildcats lost both games to the Tigers, by scores of 8-5 and 9-6, respectively. However, in game one at least, the Oxford bats were certainly not silent. Bryan Mattack went four for four with all singles, the first time that feat has been accomplished by an Oxford batter all season. He also added to RBIs to his totals. Junior Jim Carrier hit his team-leading third homerun of the season in the top of the fourth inning and added a single in the sixth.
Making his debut on the mound for the Wildcats was recently added freshman, Jeremy Bukoski. The 15-year-old younger brother of former Oxford baseball star Andrew Bukoski was called up from the JV team on May 6 against Lapeer West, but saw his first action on the mound for Varsity against Fenton. Bukoski made his debut in relief of starting pitcher Mattack in the first game, and is scheduled to start for the team against Birch Run.
Bukoski pitched in place of sophomore Tim Shafto and junior Dave Fisher, both of whom are suffering from minor shoulder injuries. According to Head Coach Kurt Nuss, Bukoski should be with the team for many years to come.
‘He’s gonna be a good one’he already is a good one,? said Nuss regarding the freshman. ‘He’s throwing the ball very well.?
The Wildcat’s remaining schedule is growing thin, with only one game remaining in the regular season against Birch Run on Wednesday, May 26, before district playoffs begin the following week.
Mike Stechschulte is a junior at Oxford High School who plans to major in the field of journalism.