Spartans sink Wildcats with big inning | Softball

Stanwood used a big fourth inning to defeat the Oak Harbor High School softball team 10-7 on the Wildcats' diamond Friday, April 3.

By Jim Waller • April 6, 2015 11:31 am
Taylor Heidt snares a throw at first base to force a Stanwood runner Friday. Heidt also collected three this for the Wildcats.
Taylor Heidt snares a throw at first base to force a Stanwood runner Friday. Heidt also collected three this for the Wildcats.

Stanwood used a big fourth inning to defeat the Oak Harbor High School softball team 10-7 on the Wildcats’ diamond Friday, April 3.

The Spartans scored six runs in the fourth to build an 8-1 lead and then held on as the Wildcats chipped away at the deficit.

With the win, Stanwood (2-1, 3-3)) stayed within one game of first-place Everett (3-0, 5-1) in the Wesco 3A North and kept the Wildcats (0-3, 0-5) winless.

The Spartans scored two runs in the first inning on a double and home run.

Oak Harbor responded with a run in the bottom half. Kelly Findley and Alexa Findley hit two-out singles, then consecutive walks to Tricia Sarns and Kat Martinez forced in a run.

The score remained 2-1 until Stanwood’s big fourth inning.

The Spartans opened the rally with a single, then Oak Harbor hurt itself by throwing away a potential double-play ball. That mistake got things rolling for Stanwood. Three singles, a double, a walk and an error pushed across the six runs.

Things could have been worse for the Wildcats, but they were able to turn a 1-2-3 double play that lessened the damage.

Stanwood added single runs in the fifth and seventh innings.

Oak Harbor cut the lead to 9-5 with four runs in the fifth inning. Taylor Heidt started the inning with a single; Kelly Findley followed with a walk. A fly ball by Alexa Findley moved the runners up, then Heidt scored on Sarns’ ground out.

An error, two walks and a single by Sam Payne resulted in three more runs.

Oak Harbor still had the bases loaded, but the rally ended when a Wildcat was out at the plate trying to score on a wild pitch.

Oak Harbor made it 9-7 with two runs in the sixth. Heidt, again, got things going, this time with a double. After an out, Alexa Findley tripled and then scored on a two-out single by Martinez.

Heidt finished the day 3-for-4 with a double and two runs. Alexa Findley was 3-for-4 with a triple and RBI. Kelly Findley went 2-for-3 and scored two runs.

Laura Anderson also singled for Oak Harbor.

Oak Harbor hosts Marysville-Pilchuck (2-1, 3-3) at 4 p.m. Monday, April 6.