The new head coach of the Pirates’ baseball team, Cliff Simpson, assisted by Mac McCann and Josh Myer, had the defending state champions doing damage with the bats early in the team’s first week of games.

The Pirates lost nine seniors to graduation last year and started this season with one starter from last year’s championship team. Vashon was rained out of the jamboree earlier this month and played its first game at Chief Sealth last Monday in a light drizzle. The game was a back-and-forth affair with Vashon falling to Chief Sealth 11-10 in the bottom of the seventh inning. The bats were hot as the Pirates collected 14 hits led by Levi Myer’s three hits and four RBIs, as well as Ary Dulfer’s three hits and three RBIs.

Ashton Dulfer, Wyatt Yates and Aidan McCann had two hits apiece. Andreas Stark and Bryce Beatty each contributed a hit. The Pirates played very effective defense considering the wet weather and it being their first game of the year. The team also had quite a few pitchers throwing for it as the coaches attempt to figure out what the pitching staff will look like.

On Thursday, the boys traveled to Klahowya. The bats stayed hot, and the team came away with a 17-5 victory. The Pirates collected 11 hits in this game and were led by Levi Myer with three hits and five RBIs and Ashton Dulfer with two hits and two RBIs. Beatty and Will Gard each had a hit with three RBIs. Others collecting a hit were Stark, Ary Dulfer, McCann and Austin Fujita. Beatty and Myer each homered in the game for the Pirates.

The Pirate defense also shined in this game as the team committed no errors in the field. Again, multiple pitchers were used as the coaching staff continues to evaluate the boys.

A double-header scheduled to be played against Tenino on Saturday was rained out. The Pirates played their first Nisqually League game after press time Monday at Cascade Christian.

The team’s first home game will be against Seattle Christian at 4 p.m. today, Wednesday, at Jim Martin field.

— Dave Myer is the father of a Vashon High School baseball player.