Fullerton Loses Legion Series Opener

As Tom Wilson walked off the mound in the third inning of the Fullerton Angels’ opening game of the American Legion World Series Wednesday night, he stripped off his uniform top. Then he peeled off his undershirt.

By then, his actions were purely symbolic, because Gonzales, La., had already undressed Wilson and his teammates en route to an 8-4 victory at Millington Legion Field.

Fullerton (38-9) plays Richmond, Va., in an elimination game today at 11 a.m. (PDT). Richmond lost, 6-2, to Fargo, N.D.

Wilson, the Freeway League player of the last year at Troy High, gave up seven runs on five hits in two innings. He struck out two, walked three, hit a batter and was charged with four wild pitches.

Gonzales (44-11), making its second consecutive Series appearance, scored in each of the first four innings to take an 8-2 lead.

Gonzales scored twice on one hit in the first. After a leadoff single and a one-out walk, Wilson unloaded a wild pitch with runners on second and third. One run scored as catcher Darby Carmichael scrambled after the ball, and a second scored when Carmichael’s throw to Wilson at the plate was off target.

In the second, Gonzales added three runs, assisted by two wild pitches and two stolen bases.

After two singles and a walk to open the third inning, Wilson (8-3) was moved to shortstop, after removing his undershirt on the humid evening.