If the first week is any indication of how the rest of the season will pan out, big things could be on the horizon for the Oak Harbor baseball team.
“We’re off to a good start,” head coach Jim Waller said. “If we pick up one Saturday, being 3-0 won’t hurt.”
After claiming an 8-2 road victory over Sedro Woolley Tuesday afternoon, the Cats continued to steamroll their non-league competition Thursday, putting away Ferndale 10-2.
The game started off a little shaky for Oak Harbor in the early going, as they fell behind the Golden Eagles 2-0 in the second inning. A bases loaded walk by pitcher Tom Moser and a fielder’s choice provided Ferndale with their first and only lead of the game.
“We made a few errors there early and we didn’t look particularly good at the plate early,” Waller said. “We struck out too much for my blood, but the kids made some adjustments and from that point on we did fine.”
The Cats’ offense came alive in the third inning as they exploded for five runs on three hits. Third baseman Mike Curtin started things off with a bases loaded walk, forcing in Aaron Gibbons. The offensively-productive inning was capped off on a two run single by Kyle Issacson and a two run, two out, single by Mark Wasmund.
Pitching is not to be forgotten in Oak Harbor’s early season success and it proved a major factor against Ferndale.
“Pitching is so important in baseball, if our kids continue to do that then we’re going to be in good shape,” Waller said. “Particularly they’re throwing strikes, they’re not walking a lot of guys and in high school that’s really important.”
Gerrid Warner came into the game as a relief pitcher in the third and turned off the power on the Ferndale bats. In three innings Warner struck out five of the nine batters he faced and gave up no hits.
Ryan Johnson pitched a near flawless sixth inning and Erik Sinks retired the Golden Eagles in order in the seventh to help the Cats finish strong.
Thus far, Waller is happy with what his team has been able to accomplish on the defensive side of the ball.
“In high school games if you don’t walk guys and you don’t make errors you’re going to be in ball games, so I’ve been really pleased,” he said.
Oak Harbor is on the road to face Squalicum today with the junior varsity beginning at 1 p.m. and varsity starting at 4 p.m. This is their final non-league action. They begin WesCo North play at home at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25 against Stanwood.
Ferndale 020 000 0 2 1 3
Oak Harbor 015 022 x 10 8 3
(FD) Richard, Ivy (3), Piper (4), Carr (6) and Morrison; (OH) Moser, Warner (3), Johnson (6), Sinks (7) and Isaacson, and Lange (6) WP: Warner, 1-0 LP: Ivy, 0-1 Highlights: Isaacson, 2-3, 2 runs, 2 RBI, Wasmund, 1-2, 2 RBI Warner, 3 IP, 0 H, 5 K, 1 BB. Records: OH 2-0; FD 0-1-1.
