Sweet Home 20, Molalla 18
Coach Dan Tow described it as more like football score than a baseball score, but the Huskies’ summer baseball team managed to scratch out a 20-18 win after a disastrous first inning.
The Huskies were down 11-0 after the top of the first inning, which took the better part of an hour. Pitcher J.P. Williams was struck hard on his calf by a low infield hit at the beginning of the game.
Zach Miller immediately went to the mound where he initially struggled, Tow said. Levi Marchbanks pitched the last couple of innings in relief.
“Well obviously, the first inning was pretty rough on us,” Coach Matt Matuszak said. Matuszak is handling coaching duties during games this summer with Josh Marvin.
In that devastating hole, Matuszak challenged his players to fight back and win the game, he said. They scored three runs in the bottom of the first to begin that long climb out.
“The next thing you know, we’re right back in the game,” he said. The Huskies scored at least two runs in every inning of the game with a seven-run performance in the third that put them back in the running.
Levi Marchbanks started the scoring off for the Huskies when he singled David Deggelman home. Tyler Holly and Brock Cota slipped into home plate when Zach Miller struck out and Molalla dropped the ball. The Huskies ended the inning with bases loaded.
Deggelman did a great job as the leadoff hitter, Matuszak said. He had three hits, including a couple at clutch moments. He also scored three runs.
Kyle McCollum started off hitting a two-out rally in the fifth that ended up leading the Huskies to tie the game, Matszak said.
Miller had a rough time getting started at the mound, Matuszak said. He wasn’t warmed up, and he wasn’t ready mentally to pitch during the first inning.
“After that, he really settled down and pitched the next four innings and threw really well,” Matuszak said. It was his second time pitching in a varsity level game.
Molalla (11)03 110 2 €“ 18 10 3
Sweet Home 337 223 x €“ 20 18 1