MAHANOY CITY — Mahanoy Area put its foot down early Wednesday, sending Weatherly into a big deficit in this Schuylkill League Division II baseball game.

Falling behind by five runs is a tough hole to escape, and that proved to be the case for the Wreckers, who battled at times but never found a rhythm in a 13-3, six-inning loss.

“I’ll tell you what, those kids battled hard. They made mistakes, but all teams make mistakes — we made our own, too,” said Mahanoy Area manager Kris Bet.

Bet’s team took control in the second inning, taking advantage of four hits, a walk and a Weatherly error while sending nine batters to the plate. Singles from Damian Contreras, Ryan Zilker, Jordany Oviedo and Colby Wagner — including run-scoring hits from Zilker, Oviedo and Wagner — helped the Bears build a 5-0 lead.

Weatherly answered in the top of the third to cut the deficit to 5-2. Bradlee Connors worked a walk to start the rally, and Niko Suarez followed with an RBI single. Kameron Jacoby added another run-scoring hit as the Wreckers loaded the bases and briefly built some momentum.

Mahanoy Area responded with a run in the bottom of the inning, capitalizing on a Weatherly error to push the lead to 6-2.

“We got into a good position, but then we started to do the little things wrong, and that’s a killer with such a young, inexperienced group,” said Weatherly coach Jeremy Witmer. “If we want to compete, we need to understand the situation and where a play needs to be made. That’s a big problem for us right now.”

Weatherly pulled within 6-3 in the fourth, scoring on a balk after drawing a pair of walks to put pressure on the Bears.

The Bears answered again in the bottom half, scoring four runs to take control for good. Mahanoy Area used a combination of timely hits, walks and another Weatherly miscue to extend the lead to 10-3.

Mahanoy Area added a run in the fifth before closing things out with two more in the sixth to end the game via the 10-run rule.

“(Weatherly) has some kids that can play,” Bet said. “They’re up there swinging, they’re not taking pitches, and they hit the ball hard. They’ve got pitchers who throw strikes and make you hit the ball. They’re making you compete.”

Colby Wagner led Mahanoy Area with four RBIs, while Zilker added three.

Weatherly finished with five hits, with Corbin Wagner and Kameron Jacoby each collecting two. Jacoby and Suarez each drove in runs for the Wreckers.

UPS AND DOWNS… Both teams went to their bullpens early, using three pitchers apiece.

GREAT SUNSHINE… It was a perfect day for the grand old game, with summerlike warmth throughout.

GETTING HITS… Weatherly totaled five hits. Corbin Wagner had two singles, as did Kameron Jacoby, who also drove in a run.

BIG PLAYS… The Wreckers turned in a sharp double play in the first inning when Corbin Wagner tracked down Brody Noraka’s fly ball in center field and fired to second to catch Alvarado leaning. Mahanoy Area answered with a double play of its own later in the game when pitcher Gavin Price snagged a bunt attempt and threw to first to end the threat.

Weatherly 002 100 – 3 5 5

Mahanoy Area 051 412 – 13 12 2

Donandi, Montz (5), Jacoby (6) and Montz and Jacoby (5); Price, Rios (3), Noraka (5) and Gambone. W – Price. L – Donadi.

Records: Weatherly (0-9); Mahanoy Area (2-6)