Baseball falls to Warriors in pitching duel

APR 3, BLAZER STADIUM --

Defense was the name of the game tonight as Sherwood High School shut out Blair baseball, 1-0. The Blazers' record dropped to 3-2 after yesterday's 33-1 rout of Kennedy High School.

Starter Jonas Wilson, a junior, pitched five excellent innings without allowing an earned run. Junior Sam Boone relieved Wilson to pitch perfect sixth and seventh innings. "Our pitchers did a great job," said Coach John Macdonald. "They deserved better."

Blair's hitting was unable to match the defense. It seemed a good omen when Boone, who started at second base, led off the first inning with an infield single followed by a bunt single by outfielder Thomas Foley, but Sherwood got out of the inning with a double play and an infield pop-up.

Blair spread three hits over five innings against Sherwood pitcher Brad Woodfield, who struck out four Blazers and walked two. Blair hit into three double plays on the night, squandering valuable chances to score. "We didn't capitalize on our opportunities," explained Macdonald.

The Warriors hit the ball hard all night even though they didn't have much more to show for it. Sherwood smashed several deep fly-balls, but Blazer outfielders snagged anything that came their way. Blair's infielders, who turned a double play in the third inning, did not fair as well, committing three errors.

The Warriors' only run came in the fifth inning. Sherwood second baseman C.W. Oswald reached on an error by Boone at second base. Oswald was driven in on a double by Sherwood shortstop Mike Goodman. "Its a shame that a routine pop-up cost us," said Macdonald.

Macdonald expressed surprise that this Blazer squad could get shut out and called the feat a "tribute" to Sherwood's pitching.

Blazer pitching also deserves some tribute. After beaning a batter and giving up a double to left, Wilson pitched himself out of a two-on, no-out jam in the second by striking out two and forcing a squib he fielded himself.

Sherwood knocked Blair out of the playoffs last year on May 10, 2002, with similarly solid defense, also winning by a one-run margin, 2-1.

Senior Michael Cozy helped the Blazer effort with a rip up the middle in the fifth inning and multiple catches in center field in his first game back after a groin injury.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Blazers seemed to breathe life one last time as senior shortstop Josh Richardson ripped a double to left-center field. Sherwood's closer finished the game with a strikeout, an infield pop-up, and a grounder back to the mound. "If we played these guys again, we'd beat 'em," said Richardson.

Blair's next game is on Saturday, Apr 5 at Quince Orchard High School at 2:00 p.m.