Wildcats struggle in district opener

Elgin stumbled in the opening week of district baseball play, dropping consecutive games to Hendrickson.

The Wildcats, now 5-7-1 and 0-2 in district, endured a heavy 14-0 defeat in their first game, struggling to keep pace offensively and contain the Hawks’ potent lineup.

The boys showed more resolve in the second matchup, jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

Hendrickson answered with two runs in the bottom half, and despite tying the game at 2-2 in the second, Elgin trailed 5-2 after a Hawks three-run outburst.

The Wildcats crept within 5-3 in the third but gave up three insurance runs in the fifth, ultimately falling 8-4.

Elgin will try to regroup during a home-and-home series against Weiss, slated to host the Wolves Tuesday, March 18, before traveling for a 7 p.m. matchup Thursday, March 20.