Warriors take 2 in baseball

MATTAWA — A group that has struggled for single victories for more than two seasons, the Wahluke High baseball team pulled off a doubleheader sweep last week, 8-6 and 19-0, over the Royal junior varsity.

The first game featured a home run by Carlos Delgado in the seventh inning that produced the eventual winning runs. Royal’s pitching struggled to find the plate in the second, which was called after three innings.

The Warriors started fast. Eduardo Ponce hit a line drive over the left field fence for a two-run home run in the first inning.

Royal responded in the bottom of the first by scoring three runs on three hits, two errors and a dropped third strike.

Wahluke came right back to tie the score in the top of the third. Angel Granados reached base following a dropped third strike and took second on an errant throw. Ricardo Cabrera singled to right center driving in Granados for the tying run.

Wahluke scored three more in the top of the fourth, highlighted by Martin Gonzalez’s RBI single. Royal responded in the bottom of the inning to bring the score to 6-4.

In the top of the seventh, Eduardo Ponce led off with a line drive double and later scored when Pineda hit a towering home run to left, putting the Warriors ahead for good, 8-4.

Royal scored two in the bottom of the seventh, but the rally fell short.

Carlos Delgado got the complete game win for Wahluke. He gave up three earned runs on eight hits while striking out 12 batters. Royal’s Sawyer Jenks suffered the loss despite a good effort. Jenks struck out 14 while giving up only one walk.

The second game lasted only three innings as the Warriors as it got out of hand for the JV Knights. Royal had trouble finding the strike zone, allowing 12 walks.

When they threw strikes, Wahluke hit the ball hard. Wahluke’s 10 hits included another home run from Pineda, this time a three-run shot to center field. Pineda and Carlos Testa kept the Knight’s bats under control.