Huskies rattle Madras, clinch league's third seed

AURORA -- Not many could have predicted the type of game that the regular season finale would turn out to be Monday at Bob Brack Stadium. The first two games of the three-game Huskies-White Buffaloes series were both games that were within two runs. But the story of the rubber match was completely different, as the Huskies got a convincing 12-2 win over then third-placed Madras. The Huskies have since taken over the third place spot.

Madras jumped out to a 1-0 lead off of two hits in their portion of the first inning.

The Huskies first inning started off on the right foot as Zach Williamson knocked a ball down the right field line, just fair. Ian Moore and Robert Ramirez both had hits later in the inning to knock in two runs and give the Huskies their first lead.

Madras tied the game at two in the top of the second inning as they scored one run on one hit.

The bottom of the second is where the Huskies started to pour it on. North Marion struck for their second-highest scoring inning of the year, only being beat out by the amazing 8-run effort at Canby early in the season to knock off the Cougars. Both Danny Robles and Ricky Verastegui were issued free passes, being walked and hit by a pitch, respectively. Williamson laid down a beautiful bunt that found a hole in the Buffaloes' infield defense, not only advancing the runners, but giving him the opportunity to reach first safely himself. The one error of the game came off of a hard hit ground ball by Chandler Willcuts, going through the legs of Madras' shortstop, scoring two runs. Brandan Hopper got a hold of a pitch and drove it deep, as far as you can drive it without it being a home run: hitting the top of the fence and barely deciding to fall back into play. The deep bomb scored Williamson and advanced Willcuts to third. A passed ball scored Willcuts during the ensuing at bat. Ian Moore singled to shallow left, bringing in Hopper. Robert Ramirez singled thru the hole at short, bringing in Moore. Robles joined the fun by hitting a double of his own to deep left, scoring Ramirez, rounding out the scoring in the second inning. The Huskies had jumped out to a commanding 9-2 lead.

Madras was also issued a free pass to start out the top of the third inning, but a 4-3 double play from Robles, who tagged the runner, to Hayden shut the door on the White Buffaloes' third.

In the Huskies half of the fourth inning, Ricky Verastegui hit a deep double to left-center field, scoring Brandon Royal, who had reached on a fielder's choice.

Spencer Beachy came into pitch in the fifth inning, relieving Willcuts, who ended the day allowing just three hits, adding up to two earned runs. Chandler only needed 54 pitches to fly through the White Buffaloes' lineup and get the win.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Huskies got off to another good start as Willcuts doubled down the left field line, again just fair. Hopper was walked and a double steal advanced both of the runners into scoring position. Adam Hayden singled up the middle with a well-placed hit, scoring Willcuts. As Hopper rounded third to score and end the game, Madras' center fielder threw the ball on a line straight to the catcher who tagged out Hopper, prolonging Madras' chance at life a little longer. But then a hot Robert Ramirez stepped up to the plate and knocked the ball to far left-center field, scoring Hayden to end the game.

The Huskies improved to 14-12 overall and 8-7 in league, good enough for third place in the Tri-Valley conference, beating out Madras with the head-to-head tiebreaker.

The Huskies will take the trip to Scappoose to take on the Indians in an OSAA Play-In game this Thursday at 5pm.

#2011 #regularseason #gamerecap