After two full days of no prep baseball, most of the local high school teams had well rested arms that they could throw out on Tuesday. And, for the most part, they collectively did an amazing job!
In a matchup between Ferndale and Meridian, each team had its ace on the mound. James Hinson for the Golden Eagles and Simon Burkett for the Trojans. They matched each other pitch for pitch the first five innings of the game, which was scoreless. Ferndale got to Burkett a little in the sixth, and was able to score a few runs. The Golden Eagles ultimately won the contest 3-0, with Hinson going the distance, allowing just two hits, walking one and striking out 12.
Lynden defeated Mount Baker 7-0, behind the masterful pitching of Trevin Hope and Jordan Holmstrom. Holmstrom threw just 31 pitches in four innings of relief work, and allowed only two hits, but Hope’s game was even more impressive. 78% of his pitches were strikes, and he faced the minimum (nine batters) in his three innings of work…. striking ALL nine of them out! Mountaineer pitcher Zandy Zender also fared quite well against the potent Lion offense, allowing just two earned runs over five innings.
In another pitching duel, the Borderites narrowly got by the Red Raiders 3-1 in Blaine. Both Blaine’s Colby Knutzen and Bellingham’s Ethan Berschauer went the distance. Knutzen’s efficiency was just too much, as he threw only 69 pitches in the complete seven innings, while getting the victory.
To close out the night, the Sehome Mariners needed a win against Sedro Woolley to help keep their playoff chances alive, and James Meader was tremendous on the mound. He pitched the complete game, allowing just four hits and one run, while striking out 10. He had a rough first inning, throwing 20 pitches and walking two batters in a row on eight straight pitches, but he settled down after that, throwing just 72 pitches the final six innings.
I guess the old saying still stands, pitching and defense wins games!
