Tomahawk baseball wins district opener

MARYSVILLE — The Tomahawk baseball team scored a single run in three different innings to hold off a competitive Lake Stevens squad.

Junior pitcher Matt Cooper threw a complete game for Marysville-Pilchuck, striking out nine batters in a three-hitter as the Tomahawks went on to win 3-2 on their home field May 9.

Both Cooper and Lake Stevens’ freshman pitcher, who have emerged as forces within the league this season, created a stir at the game. It was the M-P junior’s seventh-straight win this season.

“He’s done that all year for us,” said M-P coach Kurt Koshelnik.

M-P scored first in the third inning, when Austin Denton hit a home run to left field with two outs and nobody on base. In the fifth inning, he and clean-up batter Devin Peterson helped move Tyler Holm around the bases, retying the Tomahawks 2-2 after fielding errors allowed Lake Stevens to score twice in the top of the fifth.

Leading off in the seventh inning, Viking pitcher Dylan Lavelle singled, stealing second and quickly getting within striking distance. But Cooper, second baseman Josh Estella and first baseman Peterson connected to stop three consecutive runners from getting to first, closing out the inning and giving M-P a chance to win with a single run.

With one out, right fielder Levi Cartas walked and Holm was hit by a pitch. An error gave the guys a base and brought up Denton, who had hit 3-for-3 up until that point. The Viking dugout opted for an intentional walk, bringing up Peterson, who was 2-for-3 in previous at bats.

“They put Austin on. Everyone gets a little nervous with Austin,” said Koshelnik of the junior, who has double-figure home runs for the season. “But Devin’s right there. ... It’s a little bit of pick your poison with them.”

Peterson was having a decidedly on game at the plate, getting a third hit in his fourth at bat, the second for an RBI.

“It just feels really good to get the win,” added Cooper. “When we got that hit, it was just a relief.”

The boys played a winner-to-state game against Monroe at Everett Stadium May 12.

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Contact Marysville Globe Sports Reporter Danielle Szulczewski at dszulczewskir@marysvilleglobe.com or 360-659-1300.

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