Hooks Powered by Wojo, Long Ball

CORPUS CHRISTI - The Corpus Christi Hooks rode Asher Wojciechowski's arm and homers by George Springer, Domingo Santana and Jonathan Meyer to a 5-2 triumph over Springfield Saturday at Whataburger Field before 5,274.

The Hooks captured their season-opening series with the Cardinals two games to one.

Wojciechowski (1-0) was dominant in his prescribed five innings. The 6-foot-4 right-hander struck out seven while yielding one hit and a walk. Fifty-five of his 77 pitches found the strike zone. The Citadel product retired the last 11 men he faced, striking out the side in the fourth. 

Springer blasted his second home run of the young season off the brick scoreboard frame in left-center for a 1-0 first-inning advantage.

Corpus Christi extended its lead to 4-0 in the fifth. Springer, aboard on a two-base error, scooted home when Jiovanni Mier laced a single into right field off just-inserted Dean Kiekhefer. One out later, Santana drilled a 426-foot shot to the kids zone in center.

David Martinez yielded consecutive home runs to Xavier Scruggs and Adam Melker to begin the seventh as the Cardinals pulled within two.

With two gone in the home eighth, Meyer powered Kevin Siegrist's 95 mph offering into the Hooks bullpen for the final margin.

Springfield starter Anthony Ferrara (0-1) was lifted after 4 1/3 innings, 85 pitches, seven hits, a walk and six strikeouts.

Alex Sogard covered the final for outs for Corpus Christi to notch his first save.

Hooks right-hander Ruben Alaniz opposes Timothy Gustafson and the Tulsa Drillers Sunday at 1:05. The first 1,000 children 12-and-under pick up Hooks Kids Jerseys from Coca-Cola.