Lakewood baseball wins district opener

After starting the season 1-5, the Cougar baseball team has gone 12-3 over their last 15 games, including a 6-4 win over the higher-seeded Anacortes team May 9.

With the win, Lakewood advanced to a winner-to-state game against Archbishop Murphy May 12 after the Globe and Times went to press.

"After starting 1-5, i wasn't so sure that we'd be here," said Lakewood coach Larry Delaney.

The Northwest Conference No. 2, Anacortes took a 2-0 early on, scoring single runs in each of the first two innings. But in the third inning, Lakewood strung together plays to get on the scoreboard. Sophomore Lucas Harkins walked and senior Jesse Etchey was hit by a pitch, advancing into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by designated hitter Cameron Fry. With a single to right center field, Jordan Stauffer scored Harkins. Then, Lakewood took the lead as Michael Leach batted in Etchey and Stauffer with a hit to right field.

In the top of the fourth, Lakewood widened their lead to 4-2 as Harkins batted in Justin Virdell, a cushion needed to counter Anacortes' solo home run in the bottom of the inning.

It remained 4-3 until the seventh inning when Lakewood loaded the bases, setting up Cody Moore's two-out, two-run single to center field.

Stauffer started on the mound for Lakewood, pitching 6 1/3 innings, striking out six and allowing three hits. Trent Melhart picked up the final two outs and the save.

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

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