Hatch handcuffs 'Cats | Baseball

Mountlake Terrace's offense was consistent and Oak Harbor's nearly nonexistent in the Hawks' 12-0 five-inning baseball win on the Wildcats' diamond Thursday, April 5.

Terrace hard-throwing left-hander Alex Hatch took a no-hitter into the fifth where he allowed two infield singles. He finished with 12 strikeouts and two walks. At one point he struck out eight of nine with the only interruption a hit batter.

Offensively the Hawks (4-2, 4-4) slugged 12 hits and took advantage of five Oak Harbor errors over the first four innings. After scoring two unearned runs in the first, Mountlake Terrace took control with a five-run second thanks to six hits, a two-run error and a wild pitch.

The Hawks added two unearned runs in the third and two more in a three-run fourth.

In the fifth, Oak Harbor's Brandon Bailey and Anthony Steward collected infield singles and Sam Glavick boarded on an error to load the bases with one out. Hatch preserved his shut out with a strikeout and tapper back to the mound.

Wildcat coach Tyson VanDam saw one bright spot, the offensive approach of some of his youngest hitters. He said he was "happy with the young guys" who made the suggested adjustments to better battle Hatch. He added that those adjustments would likely earn those youngsters more playing time.

Oak Harbor (1-5, 3-6) plays at Shorewood (0-4, 1-6) at 4 p.m. Friday, April 6, and then hosts the Thunderbirds Tuesday, April 10.

Contact Whidbey News Times Sports editor Jim Waller at jwaller@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360-675-6611 ext. 5060.

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