10-run first inning propels Huskies to easy victory
ESTACADA - On a sunny Wednesday in Estacada, the Husky bats were hot from the start as they sent 15 batters to the plate and scored ten runs in the first inning alone. North Marion went on to defeat the Rangers 13-3 in a mercy-rule induced five inning contest.
Brock Breshears walked to start the game and advanced to third on a double by Emry Patterson. Kyle Williamson brought home the first score of the game on a single to right. Tristan Wampole went on to double to deep right to score both baserunners. Big hits like these set the tone, as Nat Barrell scored on an RBI groundout, Ketlin Boykin hit a sacrifice fly, Colin Barrow singled, and Shane McKillip drew a walk. North Marion had successfully batted around the lineup. A Breshears single loaded the bases before Patterson singled to left center scoring Barrow and McKillip. Breshears scored on a misplayed pop up hit by Williamson and advanced to third on a single by Wampole which plated Patterson. The inning continued on a single by Moore scoring Williamson, and the inning was mercifully ended on a fielder’s choice hit by Barrell, but not before the huskies had accumulated ten runs.
Breshears used the momentum the Huskies created with the bats to sit the first two ranger batters down on. Breshears got Foust to hit a groundball to Williamson, who stepped on second base to end the inning. The Rangers brought in a new pitcher to stymie the Huskies offense and - while good at bats were put together - the Huskies were sat down in order.
The Huskies tacked on three more runs to their lead in the top of the fourth as Barrell walked and later scored on a wild pitch. Boykin, who also walked, scored on another single by Breshears. Barrow scored on a sac fly by Patterson, and the Huskies loaded the bases before the rangers got Moore to line out to left.
Not to be outdone this time, the Rangers finally got on the scoreboard with three runs of their own. A leadoff walk followed by an error brought up Smith who tripled to right center and eventually scored on a ground out to second.
Wampole led the Huskies’ offense with three hits and three RBIs on the day. Breshears also picked up three hits on the day. Barrow and Patterson also had multi-hit days – Patterson with both in the first inning. North Marion set a season-high run total with thirteen runs, while setting season-high single-inning totals of ten runs and eight hits.
Brock Breshears (10-0, 1.33) earned the win on the mound, allowing just two earned runs and five hits while walking only one.
North Marion continues an eight-game winning streak, and has outscored their opponents 41-8 in the last five games. Wednesday’s victory at Estacada marked the final league road game for the Huskies.
Next up, the Madras White Buffaloes come to town for the regular season finale and senior night – coming up on Friday at 5:00pm.