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Loggers Scare Wildcats
By: Jermaine Williams (Puget Sound Athletics)
TACOMA, Wash. - Following a series opening win by #20 Linfield, 14-4, the Loggers put a big fright in the Wildcats, coming up just short of the upset, 5-4 in a Northwest Conference matchup today at Logger Field.
The back end of today's double-header was exciting from start to finish as the Loggers stood toe-to-toe with the Wildcats. Linfield scored right out of the gate via a pair of Logger errors. Will Mentor (Seattle, Wash./Seattle Prep) tied the game at two with a screaming double down the left line.
Linfield would retake a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning off a single by Ryan Larson. However, the Loggers would answer the call, tying the game for the second time in the fifth inning. Mark Rockey (Montlake Terrance, Wash./Univ. of New Mexico) led off the inning by drawing the hit-by-pitch. Rockey advanced to second and then third via a walk and beautiful bunt by Casey Coberly (Boise, Idaho). Doug Cox (Kailua, Hawai'i/Kalaheo) would drive Rockey in with a sacrifice fly to right field.
Rockey would lead off the seventh inning with a double to centerfield that was five feet from clearing the wall. Following a passed ball, Coberly singled into left field, scoring Rockey and pushing the Loggers ahead 4-3. Linfield would rally in the following inning off a double to deep center by designated hitter Stew David, tying the game at four and a throwing error on the Loggers, allowing the final run to cross the plate. The Loggers could only get one more hit before losing a heart-breaker 5-4.
Cameron Duvall (Lakewood, Wash./Lakes) pitched a beauty today
for the Loggers, going 7.2 innings. Wildcat starter Reese McCulley
drew the no decision after pitching five innings. Mitch Edwards was
awarded the win, following three innings of work. Andy Hunthausen
picked up his first save of the year.
In the opener, the day started our rough for the Loggers who
allowed five runs in the top of the second inning. The Wildcats
took advantage of getting their two lead runners aboard and
continuing to move them around via base hits. Following a double by
Mentor, Doug Cox singled to right field, putting the first Logger
run on the board in the fourth, 6-1.
Linfield would add five more in the fifth before Mentor would come back up and send a three-run no-doubter over the fence to cut the Wildcat lead to 11-4. The ‘cats held on to their advantage, adding a few more insurance runs before ultimately winning 14-4.
Logger starter Tim Fogarty (Pacifica, Calif./Sacred Heart Cathedral) drew his first loss of the season today, going four inning and allowing seven hits and nine runs. Cameron Larson, Linfield starter, improved to 4-1 on the season, as he threw seven inning, striking out six.
The Wildcats and Loggers will pair up again tomorrow in the final two games of the series at Logger Field. The seven inning double-headers begin at 12:00 noon.
