MARYSVILLE — Lake Stevens gave Marysville-Pilchuck a taste of its own medicine, Friday night, hanging an eight spot on the Tomahawks in the first inning and ultimately cruising to a 12-4 win in their Wesco North baseball game.
Three days after being handed its first league loss by the Tomahawks (4-5 league, 8-5 overall), in large part due to a four-run first inning by their opponent, the Vikings answered by asserting themselves in the opening frame.
“On Tuesday when we played them, they kinda did the same thing to us. The balls were finding holes, they got some walks and an error,” Lake Stevens head coach Rodger Anderson said. “I guess it was our turn tonight.”
All told, the Vikings pounded out six hits, received four free passes from MP starter Jake Johnson and capitalized on an error to score eight times and force the Tomahawks to go to their bullpen within the first half-hour.
Lake Stevens (8-1, 11-3) starter J.T, Cox did the rest. Cox pitched five innings, allowing four runs on five hits, and struck out four.
Second baseman Peter Ruiz finished 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored for the Vikings. “I really thought he was the key for us tonight,” said Anderson. “He’s kind of a quiet, unassuming kid but he made some really nice defensive plays for us and swung the bat well.”
The Vikings tacked on another run in the second inning and three more in the seventh.
John Naff, a junior, batted 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored for Marysville Pilchuck which was able to scratch a run across in both the second and third innings but couldn’t get closer than within five.
“We hadn’t played a full seven innings like we’re capable of yet this season and tonight I think we finally did that,” added Anderson. “Tonight was a real team effort … there wasn’t an individual standout and that’s what made it exciting, especially at Marysville. It was nice to finally get a win here. I know I walk away from Marysville being disappointed far too often.”
The Vikings have a game lead over Snohomish in the Wesco North with six games to play, including a series against the Panthers next week.
At Marysville Pilchuck H.S.
Lake Stevens 810 000 3–12 10 1
Marysville Pilchuck 011 020 0– 4 6 1
J.T. Cox, Kelliher (6), Lanto (7) and Merrill. Jake Johnson, Brandon Moser (1), Blake Stober (6) and Kyle Nobak. WP–Cox. LP–Johnson. 2B–Curtis (LS) 1, Blackie (LS) 1, Cox (LS) 1. Records–Lake Stevens 8-1 league, 11-3 overall. Marysville Pilchuck 4-5, 8-5.
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