MARYSVILLE — In search of a boost, A-Rod chose steroids. The Cascade High School baseball team prefers a much cheaper, less controversial substance: Zours.
One day after scoring just one run in a loss against Marysville-Pilchuck, the Cascade Bruins racked up 13 hits (including five for extra bases) Wednesday in a 12-2, five-inning rout of the Tomahawks.
The cheerful Bruins claimed it was Zour power, referring to the super-sour candy they collectively scarfed bags of before the game. But really, how did second-place Cascade (6-2 Western Conference North Division, 6-6 overall) generate so much offense against first-place Marysville-Pilchuck?
“We just had a killer mentality,” said Cascade pitcher Barrett Davis, who singled in a run during the Bruins’ three-run first inning and earned the victory on the mound. “We were amped up for this game and wanted to make up for (Tuesday).”
That’s when Marysville-Pilchuck (9-1, 10-2), ranked No. 4 in Class 4A by Washington Baseball Poll, throttled Cascade 8-1 in Everett. But Cascade — sparked by designated hitter Beau Wilson (two doubles, three runs batted in) and third baseman Brian McPartland (2-for-3, one double, three RBI) — scored 10 runs in the first three innings Wednesday and dealt M-P (9-1 Wesco North, 10-2) its first division loss.
“We just came out today looking to hit the fastball,” Cascade coach Scott Stencil said, “and we were able to get into some hitter’s counts early.”
M-P starting pitcher Tyler Holm went just 11/3 innings, leaving the mound with his team behind 6-1. Reliever Jacob Thomas didn’t fare much better and Cascade cruised in a game shortened by the 10-run mercy rule.
“Boy, they hit and they hit us hard,” M-P coach Kurt Koshelnik said. “They came to swing it today — very impressive.”
Jacob Malsom, Kyler Meek and Jacob Ort all had two hits and an RBI for Cascade. Meek led off the second inning with a solo home run. He blasted Holm’s first pitch into the trees beyond the fence in left-center field.
Wilson hit two two-run doubles to left-center for Cascade, which begins a two-game series against Everett Friday at Everett Memorial Stadium.
M-P had two hits, one in the first inning and another in the fifth. The Tomahawks fell behind 3-0 but leadoff hitter Levi Cartas gave M-P a jolt with a solo homer over the left-field fence. Then Davis, Cascade’s pitcher, retired 13 of the next 14 batters. The soft-throwing left-hander walked two (both in the final inning) and tossed two strikeouts.
“That’s the best game I’ve ever seen him pitch,” coach Stencil said. “Part of that credit needs to go to our catcher (Dan Carney). He calls his own game now and he did a great job just keeping them off-balance.”
“That’s my game. I’m not the most powerful pitcher on the mound,” said Davis, who consistently threw his curveball for strikes.
Next for M-P is a two-game series versus Lake Stevens. Before losing to Cascade, the Tomahawks had outscored opponents 87-17 during a nine-game win streak, including a 5-0 record last week.
Coach Koshelnik is confident his squad will rebound quickly. “It’s a good time to reassess where we’re at,” he said. “We’re going to be fine. We’ve definitely got some things to work on.”
At Marysville-Pilchuck H.S.
Cascade34303—12131
M-P10001—222
Davis and Carney. Holm, Thomas (2) and Keister. WP-Davis (2-1). LP-Holm (1-1). 2B-Wilson (C) 2, Carney (C), McPartland (C). HR-Meek (C), Cartas (M-P). Records-Cascade 6-2 in division, 6-6 overall. Marysville-Pilchuck 9-1, 10-2.
Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at www.heraldnet.com/doubleteam.
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