Kamiak ties up Jackson

MUKILTEO — Thrust into a tough spot in the fifth inning, Kamiak senior relief pitcher Marshall Pennock had no room to be a shrinking violet.

Facing a bases-loaded, no-out situation, the right-handed pitcher mowed down the side with three strikeouts and tossed three innings of one-hit baseball as Kamiak tacked on insurance runs late in a 12-6 Western Conference South Division win over Jackson Wednesday at Kamiak High School.

Pennock, who had seven strikeouts, two walks and gave up just one hit in relief, came on when Kamiak (7-3 league, 9-3 overall) starting pitcher Jake Bennett surrendered three singles to begin the top half of the fifth inning. With the Knights clinging to an 8-6 lead, Pennock, who is also a starter for head coach Steve Merkley’s squad, bolstered the Knights with his solid pitching just when it appeared that Jackson (7-3, 9-3) was setting up for a big inning.

“I think you just have to have a clear mind. you have to visualize that you know you’re going to get the out,” Pennock said when asked to describe a pitcher’s needed mentality when facing a jam. “I just visualize that I can get the pitches that I want to make and that’s what makes me successful.”

Fittingly, Pennock struck out the final batter to vault Kamiak into a tie for first place in the South with Jackson.

“My fastball had some movement on it,” Pennock said. “I’ve been working hard so it’s nice to see some output.”

Jackson starter Nick Kiel pitched five innings, but the bullpen couldn’t keep the game close for the Timberwolves, who have lost two straight to Kamiak.

The Timberwolves relief pitching struggled to keep the game close, walking six batters and hitting one while surrendering four runs on just one base hit — a Chris Guinn RBI-single in the sixth.

“Sometimes you come in and just don’t throw strikes,” Jackson head coach Kirk Nicholson said. “They’re a pretty good group of hitters so I’m going to give it (credit) more to them than us not getting it done.

“It’s not like our guys aren’t trying to throw strikes, they just didn’t get it done.”

Jackson first baseman Kyle Olson batted 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in the third inning to cut Kamiak’s lead to 4-3. Olson clobbered a 2-0 pitch from Bennett over the high fence in left-center field.

Three consecutive RBI-singles off Bennett tied the contest at 6-6 in the top of the fourth inning, but Kamiak responded with two runs in the bottom half for an 8-6 lead.

Jared Houghtaling, a senior catcher, drove in two runs with a single for Kamiak. Houghtaling finished the game 3-for-3 with three RBI and he was hit by a pitch. The catcher also had an RBI-single in a four-run first inning.

Eric Erlandson (0-for-4, one RBI) executed a perfect squeeze bunt to drive in Matt Stief from third base as part of Kamiak’s two-run third inning.

The Knights offense has started to come to life lately, in addition to a 14-1 win over Jackson on Tuesday, Merkley said the club is starting to gel and hit its stride.

“Our hitters are coming alive,” Merkley said. “We didn’t hit the ball too well to start (the season), but these last couple of games we’ve scored some runs.”

Eric Hovey, Kamiak’s designated hitter who missed a good chunk of the first part of the season with an injury, batted 1-for-3 with three RBI. Hovey hit a two-run single in the first and earned a bases-loaded walk in the sixth inning.

“It’s nice to see our hitters stepping up and getting hits,” Pennock said. “We’re definitely getting the runs across.”

At Kamiak H.S.

Jackson0033000—6102

Kamiak402204x—1282

Kiel, Wishko (6), Bartok (6), M. Brown (6) and Johansen. Bennett, Pennock (5) and Houghtaling. WP—Bennett. LP—Kiel. 2B—Stief (K). HR—Olson (J). Records—Jackson 7-3 league, 9-3 overall. Kamiak 7-3, 9-3.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Tulalip Heritage’s JJ Gray makes a layup during the winner-to-state playoff game against Muckleshoot Tribal School on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Hawks beat ‘brothers from the south’ to earn state bid.

Tulalip Heritage wins Tri-District game, pride against Muckleshoot Tribal School.

Stanwood junior Ellalee Wortham (2) lunges toward the basket past several Monroe defenders to attempt an underhand layup in the Girls 3A Basketball District 1 semifinals at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington on Feb. 18, 2025. Wortham scored 33 points in the 59-41 win for the Spartans, eclipsing 1,000 career points. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Wortham hits 1,000 career points, leads Stanwood to state

A 33-point outing led to a 59-41 win against Monroe in the Girls 3A District 1 semifinals.

The Shorewood bench reacts to 3-point shot during the 3A district playoff game against Shorecrest on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep girls basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 18

Meadowdale, Shorewood keep state hopes alive.

The Arlington bench reacts to a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 18

Arlington, GP punch state tickets.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 9-15

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 9-15. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Tips Week in Review: Everett splits at Prince George, beats Victoria

Eric Jamieson’s hat trick against Victoria highlights Presidents’ Day Weekend

Marysville Pilchuck’s Michael Smathers Jr. takes the ball up the court during a Feb. 7, 2025 home league game against Monroe. (Courtesy of Spencer Janzen)
Marysville Pilchuck’s Michael Smathers Jr. stars in freshman season

The guard averaged 19 points per game for the Tomahawks this season.

Everett qualifies 13 girls for Mat Classic

Mia Cianega wins at 190 as Seagulls place third at district wrestling tournament.

Arlington’s Leyton Martin puts three fingers in the air after making a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 15

Leyton Martin’s triple-double leads Arlington to district win

Freshman leads Jackson to 4A district swim title

Syunta Lee sets two meet records as Timberwolves edge Lake Stevens.

Shorecrest wins 3A district swim title

Snohomish’s Torsten Hokanson sets two meet records and leads two winning relays.

Marysville Pilchuck claims 2A district wrestling title

Tomahawks win three individual championship bouts.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.