SNOHOMISH – Aaron West will tell you himself that his pitching performance wasn’t spectacular on Tuesday against Wesco North foe Everett.
The Panther pitcher said his curveball hung too high and his fastball fell too low.
So, how would one describe the Snohomish pitcher who gave up just two runs on five hits in a complete-game 5-2 victory over the Seagulls.
“Solid,” Snohomish coach Ken Hammons said. “Aaron’s pitch count was down, he got ahead of hitters, and the defense backed him up today.”
The Panthers helped West (2-0) by starting hot and rallying for five first-inning runs on five hits.
Derek Jones’ lead-off single was followed by a Nick Hammons walk. After an out, back-to-back RBI singles by Brian Wolfe and Ethan Hargrave made the score 2-0.
Then with two outs, a clutch two-run double by Braden Allen and an RBI single by West gave the Panthers a 5-0 cushion.
“Those two-out clutch hits in the first (inning) made the difference and we held on,” Hammons said.
However, Everett wasn’t going to fold the tent that easily.
In the top of the second, singles by Brice Herrick and Johnny Erickson sandwiched around Remington Prochaska being hit by a pitch loaded the bases.
The lone Snohomish (8-1 league, 11-2 overall) error scored an unearned run to make the score 5-1 before West and his defense got out of their only jam of the game.
“My arm felt good, the strength was there,” West shrugged. “But if it wasn’t for our defense, the game wouldn’t have been the same.”
Everett pitcher Taylor Gardner also settled down in the second, retiring the Panthers in order.
Gardner was good the rest of the way, allowing only three more hits and no runs in his bid to keep Everett (6-5, 7-6) close.
The Seagulls rallied for another run in the third on a two-out RBI single by Herrick to drive in Brent Swezey.
A pitching and defensive duel took shape for the remainder of the game.
In the bottom of the fifth, Snohomish’s Hargrave hit a one-out double, which was followed by an Allen walk and Hargrave stealing third.
Everett’s Gardner got out of the inning with a double play.
Everett did not threaten again, getting only one hit over the final three innings.
“Both teams are fundamentally sound defensively today and that’s nice to see,” said Hammons of his team’s and Everett’s effort.
Snohomish is currently tied with Lake Stevens (8-1, 11-2) for first place in Wesco North. The teams will play April 25th and 27th.
Everett dropped into fourth place, one game behind third place Stanwood (7-4, 7-6).
At Snohomish H.S.
Everett0110000-251
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Gardner and Herrick. West and Allen. WP-West (2-0). LP-Gardner. 2B-Allen (S) 2, Hargrave (S). Records-Everett 6-5 league, 7-6 overall. Snohomish 8-1, 11-2.
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