Monday, March 18, 2024

Baseball team drops opener to Ephrata, but bounces back against Orting

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Like all spring sports teams, the baseball team has been challenged to prepare for the season with the lingering snow. Head Coach Mike Kelly said they have been doing the best they can. 

“We were inside the first three weeks, taking a day to field fly balls at the Peshastin parking lot. That was the extent of our outdoor activity. Looking forward to getting outside,” Kelly said. 

The good new is, the Cascade home field in Peshastin is now ready to play. The Kodiaks have a weekend double header against Omak scheduled. 

“It is going to happen. Our field is 100 percent ready to play. The field is amazing with it’s ability to shed water. With the help of the District ground crew, we were able to get the field ready. We are continuing to get it prepped for Saturday,” Kelly said. 

Cascade opened the season at Ephrata on March 14. It was a tough outing for the boys against a quality opponent. The Tigers won 11-0. 

“It was walks and errors. We committed five errors in the first inning. Max Gilbert threw the first two innings. We are a young, inexperienced team. We have three seniors who have varsity experience. Most of the other six guys are playing varsity baseball for the first time,” Kelly said. 

Considering the youth and lack outside practice, Kelly did not have high expectations. 

“I just wanted to get outside. We gave up 5 five runs in the first inning. We made the plays after that,” Kelly said. “We have six guys for the pitching staff. Outside of Max Gilbert, none have pitched at the varsity level, so it will take them awhile to get going. We gave up six runs in the third inning.”

Cascade struck out only three times, which Kelly considers a victory, despite the score. He liked the boys were putting the ball in play. Gilbert pitched 2 innings, giving no earned runs. Conrad Hasse pitched 1 inning, giving no earned runs and three walks. Justin Hall pitched 1 inning, giving 6 earned runs with 1 strikeout and 3 walks. 

Senior Wyatt Guthrie had the only hit for the Kodiaks. 

Cascade played at Ephrata again last Saturday, since it was the only available field around. The Kodiaks beat Orting 11-4. 

“With the same inexperienced crew, we came away with a W,” Kelly said. “We flat hit the ball. It was good to see that progression in a short period of time. It was great in all regards. The base running was bad, due to lack of reps.”

Cascade had 10 hits, Orting 4. Hasse pitched 3 innings, giving no earned runs with 3 strikeouts and 3 walks. Dane Williams pitched 1 inning, giving no runs with 1 strikeout. Hunter Reinhart pitched 3 innings, giving no runs, 3 hits with 2 strikeouts and 1 walk. 

Gilbert was 3-for-4 with a run and RBI. Mason Kelly was 2-for-3 with a run and 2 RBIs. Hasse was 2-for-4 with a run and RBI. 

On Saturday, Cascade hosts Omak for a double header. Last year, the Pioneers did not field a baseball team. 

“It’s exciting we are already into league. Omak is a wildcard, because we haven’t seen them in over a year. They have a new coach. I’m excited they are back in the league. I’m excited to see what they are,” Kelly said. On Tuesday, the team is scheduled to host Chelan at home. 

Ian Dunn can be reached at 548-5286 or editor@leavenworthecho.com. 

 

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