SYRACUSE — Cloudy skies, spitting rain and a chilling wind set the scene for Wednesday’s Northern Lakes Conference tilt between Warsaw and Wawasee. The Tigers opened up what was a competitive game in the sixth inning to earn a 17-3 victory.

“We talked about being tough in a tough weather situation,” said Warsaw head coach Mike Hepler. “I thank Wawasee for getting the field ready, that was a lot of work for them to do that for us to be able to play today. It was a tough day for both teams. The wind effected a lot of the balls that were hit. Grips were effected by the rain. It was difficult at times.”

Hepler’s team was tough and effective from the start. The Tigers took a 1-0 lead after the first inning and would lead 4-0 before a two-out double from Chase Rookstool put Wawasee on the board in the bottom of the third to make the score 4-2.

Warsaw added insurance in the top of the fifth on an RBI from Braxton Tennant. Wawasee responded with a run of its own in the bottom half with another RBI from Rookstool. The Warriors left two stranded in the fifth and set the stage for Warsaw to build on its lead the following inning.

“I just felt like we were going to get one and break something open and we did,” Hepler said. “We were fortunate and were able to keep on going and take advantage of a few mistakes. It was just one of those things that, when you get an inning started, it just takes off. We batted, maybe 15 guys in that sixth inning and that just doesn’t happen very often. It was nice to get that going after a tough loss on Monday.”

Warsaw had 16 batters in the sixth inning of Wednesday’s game. The Tigers hung 12 runs on the board in the frame and effectively took Wawasee out of the game.

“It was tough conditions to play in today, but both teams are out there battling,” began Wawasee coach Brent Doty. “Our guys are working hard, we just have to keep improving. We’ll get back to it tomorrow at practice. I’ve got to do a better job at getting those guys ready.

“Inexperience really isn’t an excuse, we’re halfway through the year. That’s my job, making sure those guys are ready to play.”

Warsaw was led offensively by a handful of players, Bryce Sensibaugh, Marselo Rodriguez, Henry Howard, Braxton Tennant and Collin Marshall, who each had a pair of hits. The Tigers totaled 13 hits as a team. Rodriguez and Tennant each had three RBIs. Wawasee was led by Rookstool who was 2-3 with three RBIs. Spencer Prescott scored two runs for the Warriors.

Zach Witt notched the pitching win for the Tigers to move his season mark to 4-0.

Warsaw (8-6, 6-2) hosts Goshen on Friday while Wawasee (4-12-1, 1-7) hosts Elkhart Memorial.