M-P pitcher dodges trouble
Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, April 5, 2005
SNOHOMISH – It seemed like a perfect time to panic.
Marysville-Pilchuck senior pitcher Nick Haughian quickly put his Tomahawks in a jam Tuesday, walking the first three batters he faced. But instead of folding, M-P and the University of Washington-bound Haughian coolly slammed the door on the Snohomish Panthers.
Haughian (nine strikeouts in 5-1/3 innings) recovered nicely and combined on a two-hit shutout with reliever Brandon Williams. The two pitcher and M-P designated hitter Todd Stillwell, who drilled a two-run home run, led the Tomahawks to a 5-0 victory over Snohomish in a Western Conference North Division baseball game at Snohomish’s Earl Torgeson Field. It was the first game of a home-and-home series between the league favorites. They are scheduled to play again at 4 p.m. Thursday in Marysville.
“It was a big game early in the season,” said Marysville-Pilchuck coach Josh Rosenbach, whose team improved to 2-1 in league and 4-2 overall. “They’re all big, but this one has a little bit extra meaning (because) Snohomish is a pretty good team.”
Snohomish (2-1, 4-3) loaded the bases in each of the first two innings, but couldn’t break through. Right fielder Dustin Lemke had the Panthers’ only hits, two singles.
“Today,” Snohomish coach Kim Hammons said, “you found two good ball clubs: one (M-P) that hit in the clutch and scored when they had the opportunities, and Snohomish did not.”
Haughian threw 29 pitches in the first inning, but the left-hander used a pick-off play and two consecutive strikeouts to squash Snohomish’s threat.
“Obviously, I’d like to see the first inning go a little bit easier,” Rosenbach said. “But when Nick gets into a rhythm, he’s pretty tough.”
Stillwell’s second homer of the season, a drive to right-center field in the second inning, gave M-P a 2-0 lead. Second baseman Carl Benton drove in three insurance runs for M-P and teammate Justin Petry, a center fielder, was 2-for-3 and scored twice.
At Snohomish
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Haughian, Williams (6) and Betz. Eagon, Hansen (6) and J. Hammons. WP-Haughian. LP-Eagon. HR-Stillwell (M-P). Records-M-P 2-1 in league, 4-2 overall. Snohomish 2-1, 4-3.
