Sweet Home’s baseball team upset No. 11 Cottage Grove on the road last week, then mercy-ruled Harrisburg at home before losing by a run on the road at Marshfield last week.
against Harrisburg.
The 2-1 finish ended the Huskies’ non-league schedule with a 5-6 record going into their Oregon West Conference schedule this week, opening with three straight games against No. 7 Philomath (6-2 entering OWC play).
Sweet Home’s 7-6 win in extra innings against Cottage Grove started slowly as the Huskies found themselves down two runs to start the third.
Luke Rosa got things rolling for the Huskies with a single that resulted in a run, followed by Cohen Gutierrez hitting a double to punch in two more runs. Gutierrez had half of the team’s six RBIs, and a run of his own.
Sweet Home played great defense, anchored by pitcher Kyle Zajic, who threw 68 strikes and eight strikeouts in his five innings.
The Huskies then let off the gas, allowing Cottage Grove to score four runs in the sixth inning to lead by two.
“What is special about this team is that we thrive with our backs against the wall,” Coach Evan Teter said. “We have had moments like that during the course of the season, and we have found ways to extend the game.”
Trailing by two entering the top of the seventh, Sweet Home needed to at least tie it up to continue the game, after a wild pitch brought the score to 6-5. Kaidence Greer stepped up to the plate with a runner on third and two outs, a pressure situation.
“Someone who has been a big piece of those comebacks has been Kaidence Greer,” Teter said. Greer had two strikes and it seemed that it was all over, but he hit a ground ball to the infield, and was able to beat out the throw, allowing Conner Northern to score, pushing the game to the bottom of the seventh.
Lynkin Royer came on in relief and “mowed down their batters,” striking out three, Teter said.Gutierrez then singled to bring Rosa home and gain the lead. Royer and the Husky defense held Cottage Grove scoreless in the eighth inning to win, 7-6.
“They showed a lot of resilience and continue to learn that we are never out of a baseball game.” Said Teter.
Sweet Home 13, Harrisburg 3
Sweet Home carried that momentum to their game against Harrisburg at home, crushing the Eagles 13-3.
Both teams started off hot, getting three runs in the first inning.
In the top of the third, a ball was hit to deep left field, McClure then fielded the ball to Royer, who made a great throw to catcher Zajic, who tagged the runner just before home plate, gaining the third out and ending the inning.
The Huskies settled in after that and did not allow another run the whole game. Northern, in his first start pitched, a majority of the game, tallying five strikeouts.
McClure then came on in relief, retiring the next six batters.
“We played loose and free, and got great results from it,” Teter said. “Our bats were hot.“
The Huskies finished with eight singles, three doubles, and a triple.
Zajic led the team scoring with three runs and three stolen bases, and the team finished with zero errors.
“That is what we work towards each game,” Teter said. “This was a big confidence building game for us.”
Marshfield 13, Sweet Home 12
The Huskies lost a close game at Marshfield 13-12, giving up 11 runs in the final inning.
Sweet Home dominated most of the game, scoring four runs in the first and improving its lead to five in the third.
Damon Lawrence was perfect at the plate, having three hits, three runs, a RBI and zero strikeouts. Rosa had three RBIs, Tregon Francis had two doubles, and Northern had a pair of stolen bases.
For the second time this year the Huskies out-hit their opponent (12-9) and still lost. Sweet home had a great eye at the plate, getting walked nine times as a team.
Rosa started on the mound for the Huskies getting five strikeouts and only allowing two runs in his five innings.
Sweet home started the bottom of the seventh with a comfortable 12-2 lead, then things went downhill.
“We got a little too comfortable with our lead, and the energy level dropped a bit,” Teter said. “I never want umpiring to be an excuse, but it seemed like the strike zone got extremely tight in the seventh.”
The Pirates got six free bases on walks in just the seventh inning.
Sweet Home tried three pitchers in the seventh to try and stop the bleeding, but the damage was already done. The Huskies let up 11 runs and lost 13-12.
“It taught us that just like us never being out of a baseball game, neither are our opponents.” said Teter.
Sweet Home had six players finish with a .300 batting average or more: Zajic .(600), Francis (.417), Rosa (.412), Lawrence (.387), Gutierrez (.375), and Northern (.333)
This week the Huskies are facing Philomath at home Monday, April 14, and Thursday, and on the Warriors’ diamond Wednesday. All games start at 5 p.m.