Perfect week closes out preseason; Huskies continue to pace state

North Marion capped another perfect week on Wednesday with their third one-run victory in three days. The Huskies – who came into the week 7-1 – took a game from 6A Lakeridge as well as 4A foes Tillamook and Astoria, all teams who advanced to the state playoffs last season.

Monday (3/31): vs. Lakeridge

North Marion was back on the field for the first time in a week, playing host to the red hot Lakeridge Pacers. Coming into Monday’s matchup, Lakeridge boasted a 3-1 record – outscoring opponents 47-5 amid three 15-run outbursts.

The Huskies jumped out to a 1-0 lead through one inning before the Pacers evened the score in the top of the second. The next score wouldn’t come until the fourth inning, where North Marion exploded for four runs largely in part to a three-RBI double off the bat of senior Brock Breshears. It was Breshears’ fourth double of the season, already surpassing his 2013 double total of three. North Marion was limited to just four hits, two coming from Huskies’ leadoff man Kyle Williamson.

North Marion junior Hunter Beachy was able to limit the Pacers to just four hits in six innings of work, allowing just two runs to score. The Huskies 5-1 lead after five innings was enough to withstand a three-run late-game Lakeridge rally, as North Marion claimed their second win over a 6A opponent since 2006. The Huskies were the state’s first 4A team to defeat a 6A team this season, and North Marion finished 3-1 against upper-classification opponents.

Tuesday (4/1): vs. Tillamook

Tuesday’s tilt from Bob Brack Stadium featured two teams who had their 2013 campaigns ended by Klamath Union, North Marion in the first round of the state playoffs and Tillamook in the second. The Cheesemakers entered the game with a curious 1-1-2 record, tying half of their four opening games.

The Huskies’ offense got moving early, scoring three runs in the first and two in the second. Emry Patterson and Tristan Wampole each collected a pair of hits in the contest, accounting for the team’s four hits. North Marion’s 5-0 lead was short-lived as the Cheesemakers pushed across four in the fourth.

However, Huskies’ ace Brock Breshears kept the ‘Mooks in check through the final three frames as North Marion held on for a 5-4 victory. Breshears improved to 4-0 on the mound, needing just 80 pitches to go the distance.

Wednesday (4/2): vs. Astoria

The mid-week affair with the reigning Cowapa Conference champions brought with it the winningest coach in Oregon High School Baseball history, as Dave Gasser led his 2-2 club into a battle with the Huskies. Wednesday’s game marked the eleventh and final non-conference game and it ended up being the most exciting.

The Huskies once again jumped out to a lead in the opening inning, snatching the 1-0 edge. Threatening to add on to their lead in the third, a questionable ruling by the home plate umpire on a fake-tag situation resulted in the Huskies’ leading hitter, Kyle Williamson, being removed from the contest after a home plate collision. North Marion was knocking on the door again in the fifth inning after a triple by Tristan Wampole, but he was left stranded.

The Fishermen sent the game to extras after tying the score in the fifth. North Marion stranded the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh with the chance to decide the game in regulation. Emry Patterson took over on the mound for Jordan Kendall, who had thrown seven innings of one-run ball. Patterson surrendered just one hit over the two extra frames, allowing the Huskies to walk-off when Nat Barrell scored after the Fishermen committed an error following a Breshears single.

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With a three-win week, North Marion improves to 10-1 on the season and has two more wins than any other team in the state at any classification. Out of 205 OSAA baseball teams in 2013, only five started 10-1. The Huskies are the first to join that elite group in 2014. As of press time, North Marion’s outstanding record with a solid strength of schedule has placed them atop the 4A Baseball Rankings.

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