Friday Harbor baseball team ousts Orting; earns state tourney berth


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SPORTS - FRIDAY HARBOR BASEBALL 2008

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Friday Harbor baseball team ousts Orting; earns state tourney berth

Story and Photos by Matt Pranger

posted 05/11/2008
Last season an Orting rally denied Friday Harbor an entry in the Class 1A State Baseball Tournament. This year the Wolverines knocked the Cardinals out with a 4-2 come-from-behind victory at Stanwood High School Saturday, May 10. Friday Harbor next plays Saturday, May 17 on the mainland, mostly likely at Castle Rock or Moses Lake.

"We're pretty happy... It was good revenge to send them home," said Friday Harbor centerfielder Ryan Aylward.

"It was fun to beat them after we lost to them last year," said shortstop Jordan Nash.

"It's sweet, a big win," said catcher Albert Strasser. "It seemed like we all came together."

"The kids really pulled together when they really needed to," said Friday Harbor coach Rich Warin. "They came through with some key defensive plays and some timely hitting."

This is the Wolverines' eighth appearance in Class 1A's Top 16 since 1999, when they finished second. They were third in 2000.

"I'm really excieted. It's going to be a good experience," said freshman infielder Alex Jangard of playing against the state's best. "I hope we have a good time... win some games."

Friday Harbor hurler Richie Ochoa fanned 10, walked none and gave up four hits. The Cardinals' two runs were unearned.

"Richie pitched really well," Strasser said.

Friday Harbor finished with nine hits to Orting's four. Strasser hit two singles and drove in two runs. Jordan Nash had a single and two RBI. Third baseman Michael Knowles smacked two base hits. First baseman Parker Lawson, second baseman Roy Taylor, Aylward and Ochoa had a single apiece.

Orting went up to 2-0 in the third inning on a couple hits and an error.

Friday Harbor scored a run in the bottom of the inning and was in position to score a few more. Taylor led off with a single. Right fielder Eddie Nash and Justin James reached base on balls. After a strikeout, Jordan Nash worked a bases-loaded walk and Friday Harbor trailed by one. Michael Knowles ripped a liner up the middle but the Cardinal shortstop stretched for the unassisted double-play.

The Wolverines knotted the game with the help of an Orting mistake in the the fourth inning. Ochoa rapped a lead-off single. Jangard, pinching running for Ochoa, scored when Orting's centerfielder ran past a base hit by Strasser.

Aylward led off the fifth with a single against a new Orting pitcher. Aylward took second on a wild pitch. Jordan Nash bunted down the third baseline. Aylward scored on a throwing error and Nash advanced to third base. Strasser drove in Nash with a sharp hit at the third baseman that took a high hop.

Orting had a runner at second with one out in the sixth inning but the Cardinals were unable to drive him home. Ochoa struck out the side in the seventh to clinch the win.