ST. LOUIS – The Co-Lin Wolves are in the drivers seat in theNJCAA Division II Central District/Super Regional BaseballTournament at St. Louis Community College Forest Park.

Co-Lin, the defending Central District champs, knocked off theForest Park Highlanders 8-7 in Thursday’s first game. The Wolveswere leading the Patriots of St. Catherine (Ky.) 6-2 when the gamewas stopped due to severe lightning in the top of the sixthinning.

Co-Lin and St. Catherine will resume play today at 4 p.m. IfCo-Lin holds on to beat St. Catherine, Forest Park and St.Catherine will play at 7 p.m. in the loser’s bracket. Thetournament is double-elimination.

The Forest Park-St. Catherine winner would meet undefeatedCo-Lin at 1 p.m. Saturday for the championship. If Co-Lin lost the1 p.m. game, they would play a second game for the title.

“The guys played hard,” said Co-Lin head baseball coach KeithCase. “The first one (win) was a tough win. It was tough turningaround 30 minutes later and playing a fresh team.”

Sophomore right-hander Jacob Blakeney (6-4), who finished thefinal inning of the Forest Park game, was the pitcher on the moundagainst St. Catherine going into the sixth inning. Case says heexpects to bring in Chris Kennedy (3-1) of Brookhaven to relieveBlakeney who pitched a total of six innings Thursday.

Co-Lin (33-24) went up 8-6 in the top of the ninth inning whenfreshman Drett Duncan tripled to score freshman Jason Miles. ForestPark (37-20) came back with one run to close the deficit toone.

Doug Atkins (4-7) got the win and Blakeney was credited with thesave. Atkins worked the 7th-9th innings with 2 strikeouts and 2walks. Blakeney completed the final 2/3 innings. Josh Garrettstarted for the first six innings with 3 strikeouts and 3 walks.Chuckie Stracener worked for 1/3 innings before Atkins tookover.

Chris Little was the losing hurler in relief of starter AdamJahnsen. In 1 2/3 innings, Jahnsen allowed 4 runs on 4 hits and hit1 batter. Kevin Moulder worked the 3-7 1/2 innings with 3 runsallowed on 4 hits, 2 strikeouts, 2 walks and 2 hit batters.

At the plate, Brett Hederman and Ryan Davis led with two singlesapiece. Matt Lea doubled. David Gray and Brandon Holleman hitsafely.

“The pitching we are facing is pretty good,” Case stated. “Ourfocus is better. We did some good things yesterday. We may havelost Brandon Atkins, who made a game-winning save.”

Case said he thought Atkins (who was playing centerfield) hastorn cartilage in his knee and may be out for the remainder of thetournament. Case added that freshman Brett Duncan was hit by a fastball on his hamstring. His condition is uncertain for today’sgame.

Forest Park got a triple, a double and a single from ShawnHampton.

“Our following (fans) has been super,” added Case about theCo-Lin fans who made the trip. “We’re drawing from that source ofenergy. Hopefully everyone’s rested including the fans.”

@Linescore:CO-LIN 8, FOREST PARK 7

Co-Lin

400

002

011

–

8

10

2

Forest Park

000

132

001

–

8

8

4

@Bbstandings: Garrett, Stracener (7), Atkins (7), Blakeney (9)and Gray; Jahensen, Moulder, Liddle and Davis. WP – DougAtkins (4-7). Save – Blakeney. LP – Liddle. 3B – Duncan (CL),Hampton (FP). 2B – Lea (CL), Hampton (FP). Multiple hits – Hederman(CL) 2, Davis (CL) 2, Hampton (FP ) 3.