In the Media: Huskies sweep spring break tournament
AURORA — Offensively, North Marion hasn’t been as consistent as coach Randy Brack would like.
But in terms of pitching and defense, the Huskies have been rock solid.
After winning three straight games at the North Marion spring break tournament, the Huskies have now extended their winning streak to five games and improved their record to 5-1 overall. During this recent stretch of success, North Marion pitchers have allowed just five runs.
During the Tuesday and Wednesday tournament at North Marion High School, the Huskies outscored their opponents 23-2, with three different hurlers pitching complete games for North Marion wins.
The Huskies opened the tournament with an 11-1 rout in five innings over Banks on Tuesday, behind a solid pitching performance by Jordan Hopper.
Hopper went the distance, allowing three hits and three walks, while striking out seven. He was also 2 for 3 at the plate, with two runs driven in.
The Huskies tallied seven hits and scored in all five innings, beginning with the five-run outburst in the first inning, which was ignited by a two-run double by shortstop Robert Ramirez. Ramirez and first baseman Adam Hayden led the team with three RBIs apiece.
Brack also pointed out that North Marion ran the bases aggressively — something the Huskies didn’t get an opportunity to do in the nightcap against Marshfield, simply because they didn’t get enough base runners during the course of the game
North Marion outlasted Marshfield for a 2-1 win, behind the pitching of Joe Piercey.
The Huskies only compiled two hits for the entire game — one each from Robert Ramirez and A.J. Miller.
Miller’s infield single in the bottom of the second inning with two outs and the bases loaded led to both of the Huskies’ runs.
Ian Moore, Zach Borowczak and Piercey had all walked in front of Miller to load the bases. Miller’s base hit drove in Moore, while Borowczak came around to score on a throwing error for what turned out to be the game-winner.
Meanwhile, after allowing four hits and one run in his first two innings of work, Piercey settled into a groove after the Huskies gave him that narrow one-run lead.
Of the final 16 hitters Piercey faced, only three reached base, and in all three cases, the Pirates were hung out to dry by a pickoff from Piercey.
He finished the game with 12 strikeouts, while allowing five hits and one walk.
“He got better as the game went on,” said Brack. “He got through because he competed so stinking hard. He didn’t have his best stuff, but as he went on, he started mixing his pitches and all of a sudden, he got into a good rhythm and things started looking really good for him.”
In the tournament finale, North Marion defeated Central 10-0 in five innings, again behind solid pitching.
Hayden threw all five innings and struck out eight. Although he only gave up three hits, wildness led to eight walks, but Central stranded 10 runners during the course of the game.
Miler led the team offensively, going 3 for 4, with three stolen bases, three runs scored and an RBI. Ramirez added a pair of base hits, including a double, and four RBIs. Hayden also had a pair of hits and two RBIs, while Piercey reached base in all four plate appearances — all on walks — and scored three times.
With the exception of the blowouts against Banks and Central, Brack pointed out that Huskies have now won three one-run ballgames during the season, including a 4-3 win over defending state champion Astoria on March 20.
Brack said that says a lot about the team’s defense, pitching, and ability to simply find a way to win.
Against the Fishermen, the Huskies were held to just one hit heading into the sixth inning, when Moore’s two-run single put the Huskies on top.
On Friday, North Marion hosted Newport in a doubleheader, but results were unavailable at press time.
Next week, the Huskies begin Capital Conference play with a road game against Estacada on Monday, followed by a home game against Cascade on Wednesday. Both games are scheduled for 4:30 p.m.