The contact was there — the hits just didn’t fall for the Eastlake baseball team on Tuesday night.
“We’ve struggled a little bit, but to this point it hasn’t been so much getting the bat on the ball — we’ve been able to do that,” head coach Skip Hulet said.
The Wolves’ hitters generated plenty of contact Tuesday, but only earned four hits in a 4-1 road loss to Inglemoor.
Things started strong in the top of the first for Eastlake, which drew a lead-off walk from Jeff Grotjahn and a single from Nicholas Smith. With one out, Kelly Rockey walked to load the bases. Eastlake then received an unearned run when Viking pitcher Obadiah Taylor balked in a run. The next two batters were unable to push anyone across the plate, however, striking out.
“We’ve struggled at getting base hits in those situations,” Hulet said.
Inglemoor used an RBI groundout in the first inning and another in the second to nab a 2-1 advantage. Eastlake senior pitcher Brennan Menninger kept the Vikings at bay over the next three innings, allowing just two hits and a walk. Menninger allowed just five hits and three earned runs in his five innings of work.
“He battled very well,” Hulet said. “They’ve got some guys who can hit on this team, and he kept them down for the most part.”
A lead-off double in the bottom of the sixth, followed by an error, forced Menninger from the game. Inglemoor’s Austin Hueter then added at 2-RBI single off of reliever CJ Best.
The Wolves didn’t give in, however. They brought the tying run to the plate in the top of the seventh after a lead-off double from Kyle Henselman and a two-out walk from Grotjahn. Smith, who was 3-for-4 at the plate, got a solid hit in his final at bat, but the ball was tracked down deep in centerfield to end the game.
Eastlake fell to 2-4 in league and 4-4 overall with the loss. The Wolves had two more games scheduled during the week, face the No. 1 ranked 3A team, Eastside Catholic, on Wednesday, and league foe Lake Washington on Thursday.
While things haven’t seemed to go the way of the Wolves recently, Hulet knows his team is just a few hits away from breaking loose.
“They’ve just got to find a way,” he said. “Each guy has to look within himself and find what it’s going to take.”
Issaquah powers past Roosevelt
Issaquah got back on a winning track Tuesday afternoon beating Roosevelt 7-3 at Lower Woodland Park in Seattle. The Eagles were led by Miles Perkins’ 4-for-4 performance at the plate. Shane Yarnell and Marcus Gaan each had RBI doubles for Issaquah, which improved to 3-3 in league and 4-3 overall. Pitchers Austin O’Neil and Spencer Rogers held the Roughriders to three runs on four hits. The Eagles face Ballard Thursday and are scheduled to host Mt. Rainier at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 11.
Skyline hangs on to top spot
Skyline jumped out to an early lead and held on for a 3-2 road victory over Lake Washington on Tuesday afternoon. The Spartans took a 2-0 lead in the first. The Kangaroos fought back in the bottom half of the inning for a run, but could get no closer. Sean Penberthy hit a home run for Skyline and Will Chandler went 2-for-4 at the plate. Blake Fulghum earned the win and Peyton Herrod nabbed the save. Skyline improved to 5-1 in league and 7-1 overall. The Spartans play Mt. Rainier Wednesday and Woodinville on Thursday. They travel to Roosevelt on Monday, April 13.
EC remains undefeated
Eastside Catholic improved to 7-0 Tuesday afternoon, beating O’Dea 7-3 at Bellevue Community College. The Crusaders, who are ranked No. 1 in class 3A, earned a two-run home run from Matt Boyd. Jake Gober went 2-for-3 at the plate and Kellen Matsuno was 1-for-3 with two runs scored. Sam Lindquist earned the victory for Eastside over five innings of work. Troy Perry pitched the final two innings and earned the save. The Crusaders face non-league Eastlake Wednesday.
