Kodiak baseball team looks to end six game skid

It has been rough stretch of games for the Cascade Kodiak baseball team. After starting the season 3-0 with impressive wins over Ephrata, LaSalle and Royal, the Kodiaks have lost six in row, including three last week against Colton, Blaine and Meridian.
Cascade played April 3 against Colton at Big Bend College in Moses Lake. Head Coach Mike Kelly said it was a treat to play on the college field.
“It was a lot of fun. It’s a good opportunity to see a college field. We even saw the start of their practice, which was fun. It’s a great facility and great to get into that college atmosphere,” Kelly said. They lost to Colton 13-8.  Colton is a top squad in the 2B League. For the Kodiaks, it was once again the big inning that hurt them.
“They are very good. They have won state before. They are a powerhouse the 2B league, high quality team. The coach is the son of the former Big Bend coach. Great program,” Kelly said. “The same thing that has plagued us over the past six games on this six game slide, giving up the big innings, not being able to get the last out or whatever the case may be.”
On April 6, Cascade hosted Blaine and Meridian, two west side teams that beat them pretty soundly last year. Blaine won 10-2 and Meridian won 12-4.
“I think overall, definitely a marked improvement in our games between those teams last year and this year. Big innings were tough for us. We had too many bases on balls. Too many things stacked up in the freebie category that we’ll get fixed,” Kelly said.
Cascade (0-2, 3-6) hosted Cashmere (2-0, 8-1) on April 10. Results were not available before press time.
“I’m excited and so are the kids. We are very close to get back to winning. I need to do a far better job the way I manage myself and the way I manage the kids during the games. We’re awfully close,” Kelly said of playing Cashmere. “If we can put together a clean game, which we are absolutely capable of, I think it will be fun to see what happens.”
Cascade plays at Warden on Thursday. Next Wednesday, April 18, they host Omak (0-2, 1-6).  
Ian Dunn can be reached at 548-5286 or editor@leavenworthecho.com.