MARYSVILLE The M-P batters found a sweet spot in deep right field and exploited it on their way to a 7-3 win over Cascade April 20.
Senior slugger Kyle Mallory had a pair of doubles and two RBIs to help Marysville off to an early lead. Mallorys first double helped position teammate Blane Fiechtner to gain the sole first-inning run.
Then, some defensive mistakes by Cascade in the second inning gave the Tomahawks the opportunity to put the game away. Some fumbling on the part of the Bruin shortstop gave Ryan DiMascio the chance to make it to first. Then, after a single by senior Sean Moser, another Cascade error at home allowed the pair of Tommies to advance.
A single from Mike Gange batted in Marysvilles second run.
Then, with the bases filled, Mallory hit his second double, good for the eventual game-tying and game-winning RBIs. Mallory would later attribute his strong game to just seeing the ball good right now.
Before Cascade snagged a single second-inning out, Fiechtner, Mallory and designated hitter Ricky Holm all found home for Marysvilles fifth, sixth and seventh runs.
The 7-0 lead proved sufficient for the next five innings.
Nevertheless, the Bruins battled back.
Dont roll over, came the cry from the Cascade dugout. If I see anyone rolling over, well play with eight, seven, six (guys), or whatever we have left.
Cascade hits in the third and fifth innings whet the Bruins appetite for runs, and finally in the sixth inning, a home run and an RBI by Andrew Hanson ended the Tommies chance for a shutout.
Richie Amos had the Bruins third run in the top of the sixth.
Always reliable, senior Kyle Bottin was 2-for-3 against Cascade with a double in the fourth inning and two RBIs.
The win was Marysvilles fourth in a row, following a 9-4 non-conference win over Mercer Island April 16 and a sweep of Monroe April 11 and April 13.
I think were really wanting the win, said Mallory of the M-P winning streak. We want to prove what weve got. Its easier to get both (series) wins.
The win over Cascade gives Marysville a 6-5 conference record, good for fourth place. It also has the team dreaming of the playoffs. Though a playoff appearance will require more regular season wins, the 2007 teams obstacles cannot be more challenging than those facing last years team.
Right now I think were in fourth place. Maybe we get a few wins and sneak into the third-place slot, said head coach Josh Rosenbach of a team that returned 11 varsity players. We won seven in a row last year to make the playoffs.
The Tomahawks close out their regular season schedule with a second game against Cascade, April 24, and series against Wesco North cellar dwellers Arlington and Oak Harbor.

At M-PHS

M-PHS 1 6 0 0 0 0 x 7
Cascade 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 3