DELPHOS — Jefferson’s baseball team pounded out 17 hits Wednesday night versus Perry.

The Wildcats needed to as they outscored the Commodores 17-15 in non-conference activity at Wildcat Field.

After a scoreless first inning and a half, Jefferson (4-1) struck first in the second inning after hits by Ryan Kortokrax (getting on all five times at bat by going 4-for-4, 4 runs, 3 RBIs, hit by a pitch) and Taylor Hesseling. Kortokrax scored on a ground ball by Craig Carder.

Perry came back in the third inning with 13 runs (11 earned) on four hits, two errors, four walks, two hit batters and a balk.

Jefferson began its rally in earnest with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Leadoff hitter Cory Bastian walked and advanced on a wild pitch. Sean Fisher (2-for-3, 4 runs) was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a passed ball while Bastian scored. With one out, Josh Miller singled to left to score Fisher. Kortokrax singled to left field, Matt Gerdeman walked and Miller was out at the plate on a fielder’s choice for the second out. Kortokrax would later score on a passed ball.

Perry scored two more runs in the fourth inning after back-to-back walks for Drew Smith (2-for-3, 3 runs scored, 1 ribbie) and Tanner Hunt which later turned into runs after a double by Shane Cockrell. Josh Miller came in to pitch to catch Kodee Kirchner looking at strike three.

The Wildcats got those tallies back in the home half of the inning after a single by Fisher and a triple by Aaron Schuerman (3-for-5, 3 runs, 2 RBIs). Schuerman scored on a hit by Miller.

Miller retired the Commodore side in order in the fifth.

The bottom of the fifth inning proved to be the turning point when Jefferson knocked out seven runs on three hits and four free passes. Carder walked, Mike Rahrig reached on a fielder’s choice that could not beat the runner at second base. After a fielder’s choice for the lead runner at third, Fisher walked to load the bases. Schuerman hit a ball to the shortstop, who tried to get the runner (Rahrig) out a home. Rahrig slid in to score. Miller (also got aboard on all five trips to the plate; 4-for-4, 2 runs, 4 runs batted in, 1 hit by a pitch, 1 stolen base) then drove in two more runs on a single to right field. Kortokrax reached first after being hit by a pitch and Gerdeman reached on an infield hit. The bases were left loaded with a score of 15-13 going into the sixth inning.

Carder (2-0; 2 innings pitched, 4 strikeouts) went to the mound in relief of Miller and struck out the side in the sixth frame.

The Wildcats gained the lead in the bottom of the inning. Fisher had an infield single down the third-base line to start the inning. He went to second base on a wild pitch and later scored on a base hit by Schuerman. Miller followed with a single to left. Kortokrax singled to knock in both Schuerman and Miller. With one out, Matt Antalis singled to right to score Kortokrax. The score was 17-15 going into the seventh inning.

Perry was unable to mount a comeback in the seventh as Carder again retired the side in order.

Jefferson returns to the diamond tonight in hosting Northwest Conference foe Paulding. First pitch is at 5 p.m

Perry    0 0 (13)    2 0 0    0 - 15  5 2

Jefferson    0  1  3      2 7 4    x - 17 17 2

WP: Craig Carder (2-0; 2 IPs, 4 strikeouts); LP: Brey Buetner (7 hits, 11 earned runs, 4 walks, 2 strikeouts). 2B: Shane Cockrell (Perry), Brey Buetner (Perry), Trevor Wallace (Perry). 3B: Aaron Schuerman (Jefferson).