Eagles score early in 10-3 win

‘Cats play catch-up after five run first inning

The Arlington Eagles did the damage and scored all the runs they needed in the top of the first inning to defeat Oak Harbor 10-3 in a WesCo North softball game Friday.

Four singles, a walk and a double off the bat of Kaitlyn McAlister led to five runs crossing the plate, putting the Wildcats in a deep hole early in the game.

After Oak Harbor collected two hits in the bottom of the first inning, Arlington starting pitcher Allie Milless got tough on the mound and retired 12 batters in order before Anna Skurdal tripled with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Skurdal crossed the plate on a throwing error with the Wildcats’ first run, making the score 6-1.

Arlington pushed across a single run in the top of the sixth off Oak Harbor relief pitcher Kayla Carrothers and added four additional runs in the top of the seventh.

Trailing 10-1, the Wildcats never gave up and scored two times in the bottom half of the seventh on a walk to Brittney Fritch, singles by Deanna Rafferty and Carrothers and a throwing error.

“We rallied at the end of the game and we are playing better at the end of the season,” coach Craig Nurvic said. “We had the bats moving today and we are definitely hitting better.”

Oak Harbor put the ball in play, striking out just three times in the game.

Skurdal was two-for-three for Oak Harbor.

The Wildcats (0-9, 2-9) next home game is at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, against Everett.