PLAINS – The Wildhorse Sports Association Sports Complex, kicked off its tenure as Plain’s new outdoor sports facility with a bang on Tuesday, April 29.

As the last hours of one of the first beautiful days of spring trickled away, the Plains Royals defeated the visiting Ronan Warthogs, winning an 11-9 hit filled contest.  

Pitcher and leadoff hitter, Ryan Ovitt led the Royals hit parade, with two base hits and two stolen bases, igniting the Royals offense shortly after the first pitch. 

Clean-up man, Karsen Krebs also had a notable game driving in two runs and snagging a stolen base in the opening frame. In the ensuing inning, Krebs started the Royals off with a triple. Krebs soon crossed the plate after Jase Sorenson struck out, but in a heads up play, beat the throw to first, when the Ronan catcher mishandled the pitch. Krebs and Ovitt weren’t the only ones on the Royals to kick the offense into gear, as the first six hitters all recorded singles to open the game.  

Through the early innings of the game it appeared as if Plains was going to bury Ronan early. However, after enduring a seven run first inning, the Warthogs put together a rally of their own, plating five runs in the third frame to ensure the game did not turn into a rout. 

The Royals padded their lead in the middle innings making it 11-6 with only six outs to go, appearing as if they would cost to a comfortable win to christen their new digs. 

Nevertheless, the visitors made things tense for the Royals in the sixth, putting together an impressive two-out rally, which plated 3 runs. 

With the score 11-9 in the final inning, Ovitt assumed the role of closer and assured the home team would walk away from the Complex’s inaugural game as winners, putting out the fire before it started, striking out the side to conclude the game. 

Ovitt ended the game with two innings pitched and five strikeouts. 

Sponsored by the Wildhorse Sports Association, a local non-profit organized to construct the new outdoor facility; the complex consists of two baseball fields, and fields for soccer and youth football. 

The complex’s debut was lucky enough to fall on a warm, sunny and relatively cloudless day. Temperatures held over 60 for the majority of the contest, and the game concluded as soon as the sun was setting to ensure the fans and players did not get too chilly. 

It was a gorgeous day for baseball and the proper weather for a baseball field to enjoy during its first competition. 

The new facility is located on 27 acres of land by the airport on Old Airport rd., and is available to members of the community for their enjoyment as a place to walk, run, hangout and enjoy the open space as the days grow warmer and summer approaches.

The Royals will return to the Wildhorse Sports Association Sports Complex for Babe Ruth league games on Tuesday and Friday.