Big innings bugging Wildcats / Baseball

By Jim Waller • March 22, 2018 1:30 am
Oak Harbor center fielder Austin Boesch runs down a fly ball as Caleb Fitzgerald looks on in Tuesday’s game with Everett. (Photo by John Fisken)
Oak Harbor center fielder Austin Boesch runs down a fly ball as Caleb Fitzgerald looks on in Tuesday’s game with Everett. (Photo by John Fisken)

The big-inning bugaboo has haunted the Oak Harbor High School baseball team this season.

In all four of its games, all losses, Oak Harbor has suffered through an inning where it surrendered six or more runs.

The trend continued this week as the Wildcats lost 12-1 to visiting Everett Tuesday, March 20, and 9-1 at Marysville-Pilchuck Wednesday.

Oak Harbor (0-3, 0-4) hosts M-P (1-0, 3-0) in the second contest of their two-game series at 4 p.m. Friday, March 23.

Everett 12, Oak Harbor 1

The Seagulls scored six runs in the first inning to put the Wildcats in an early hole. Everett had only two hits in the inning and was helped by five walks and a bundle of wild pitches.

From that point, relief pitcher Ethan Pace shut down Everett for three innings but the Oak Harbor offense couldn’t get the Wildcats back in the game.

“I thought Ethan threw well,” coach Cody Anderson said. “He has good approach; he always has a positive attitude.”

The Seagulls tacked on six runs over the final three innings to pull away.

Aaron Martinez, Donnie Kloewer and Joe Dixon collected Oak Harbor’s only hits; two came in the first inning.

Oak Harbor hitters struck out only four times but couldn’t find gaps in Everett’s defense.

Seagull shortstop Abe Affholter had a busy day, handling nine chances error free.

The Wildcats scored in the fifth on Dixon’s single, walks to Caleb Fitzgerald and Martinez and an error.

Marysville-Pilchuck 9, Oak Harbor 1

The Tomahawks plated eight runs in the fourth inning and that was more than enough to back the pitching performance of Eric Anderson, and all-Wesco North, first-team pitcher in 2017.

Anderson gave up only one hit while striking out nine and walking none. He allowed only two base runners.

Austin Boesch collected the Oak Harbor hit, scoring the Wildcats’ run in the sixth inning.

Oak Harbor’s Donnie Kloewer attempts to beat out a throw to Everett first baseman Gabe Maggio.(Photo by John Fisken)

Oak Harbor’s Donnie Kloewer attempts to beat out a throw to Everett first baseman Gabe Maggio. (Photo by John Fisken)

Aaron Martinez attacks the first pitch of the bottom of the first inning Tuesday. Martinez ripped a single up the middle with the swing.(Photo by John Fisken)

Aaron Martinez attacks the first pitch of the bottom of the first inning Tuesday. Martinez ripped a single up the middle with the swing. (Photo by John Fisken)

Austin Boesch reaches for a catch Tuesday.(Photo by John Fisken)

Austin Boesch reaches for a catch Tuesday. (Photo by John Fisken)

Future Wildcat Noe Scott Ochoa takes in his first game Tuesday. Noe was there to watch uncle James Besaw play for Oak Harbor. (Photo by mommy Mackenzie Nichols)

Future Wildcat Noe Scott Ochoa takes in his first game Tuesday. Noe was there to watch uncle James Besaw play for Oak Harbor. (Photo by mommy Mackenzie Nichols)