Lakewood 4, Falcons 0

A better day could not have been ordered for a home matchup between the two best baseball teams in the Cascade Conference at South Whidbey High School Monday. Unfortunately, it seems no order for hitting was placed on behalf of the Falcons.

In a rematch of last week’s 7-3 road loss to the Cougars, the boys from South Whidbey couldn’t buy their way on base against the best pitching they’ve seen all year. They lost the game in 4-0 seven innings, tallying just one hit under shirtsleeve warm sunny skies.

In the early going, it seemed as though the Falcons would be in the game to the end. After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the first, South Whidbey got its only hit of the game, a Danny Parra single. Parra was later tagged out while trying to steal second base. It was the last offensive play of any consequence the Falcons would pursue in the game.

The contest came down to pitching inning after inning. Cougar hurler Alex Thomas went the distance practically unchallenged, while South Whidbey used three pitchers to make it through the game. Starter Logan Hanna pitched five innings, giving up four runs through the start of the sixth inning. Joel Friesen and Lakota Holder finished out the final two innings, giving up no runs.

Only two of the runs Hanna gave up on the day were earned. The two others came in on two of South Whidbey’s three errors in the contest.

Having particular success against the Falcon pitchers was Cougar Jake Rife, who almost hit for the cycle. He tallied a triple in the first inning, then later in the game hit a double and a single.

The Falcons will play at home Monday and Friday in games against Archbishop Murphy. Both games start at 4 p.m.

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