Editor’s Note: Due to a woeful lack of space in this week’s print edition, more sports updates from Track and Field and Boys’ Soccer are posted online only at vashonbeachcomber.com. Go there to read, and go, Pirates!

By Eric Frith

For The Beachcomber

In recent games, Vashon baseball players have decided not to take no for an answer, using lessons learned in the first games of the season to rack up three wins against Seattle Christian.

On April 19, the Pirates traveled to Seattle Christian for a doubleheader with the Warriors. Sam Walker started on the mound for Vashon, and the Pirates’ improved defense had a quick one-two-three inning in the first, including a stellar catch by Finn Magonegil in right field.

A the top of the second inning, Vashon capitalized on a couple of balks and walks to open up the scoring 4-0. The Warriors scored what would be their only run in the second, off an error. Martin Ellison brought Joshua Parrish home with an RBI single and Jack Harvey scored on a wide throw down to second in the third inning. With Sam Walker and Will Frith on, Finn Magonegil hit an RBI single in the fourth.

Walker led the offense going tw0-for-two with three RBIs, and the Pirates were in control all the way. With two errors there was still room to improve, but the defense put in their best performance of the season. A fitting ending to the game came with some flare as Delgado-Williams threw from center field to Ty Radford at third base to nail a runner for the last out of the game. Vashon won with a final score of 9-1.

In the second half of the doubleheader, Vashon was the “home” team and it was the tightest of the three-game set. Seattle Christian put senior Sam Bock on the mound. Bock is committed to Olympic College and looked the part as the tall hurler threw his warm-up pitches.

Vashon pitched freshman Will Frith was making his first start for varsity. The Warriors dug-out chatter ratcheted up a notch as they saw the younger pitcher enter the game, presumably thinking this might be their opportunity to even the series. Vashon committed its only error of the game in the first and the Warriors scored 2, but Frith and Vashon’s tight defense shut them down the rest of the way.

In the bottom of the first inning, Vashon stormed back. Maxwell Delgado-Williams singled, Finn Scriver reached on an error, Will Weber singled with an RBI, Will Frith and Joshua Parrish had back-to-back singles, and the Pirates took the lead 2-3.

Delgado-Williams lead the hitting with two hits and singles were spread up and down the line up with seven total. Stephen Daly picked up an RBI walk as the Pirates had runners on throughout the game.

However, the defense was the story as tough catches, with runners on, were taking place all over the field. Danny Baldinger made a shoestring catch in right field, Martin Ellison threw a runner out at home with Finn Scriver making the tag in a cloud of dust to save a run. Stephen Daly made a running catch to deep left off of Bock who represented the tying run in the last inning.

And Frith would pitch all five innings of the shortened doubleheader with no walks, one earned run, seven hits and three strikeouts.

“As a freshman, to have no walks and have them put up only two, Will pitched a gem for us,” said Coach Perrin. “And the outfield — Stevie, Max, Finn M., and Danny running down balls in the gaps, they did a great job.”

Finn Scriver caught an excellent gamekeeping every pitch in front of him and snagged a pop up at the plate for the last out giving Vashon the win 4-2.

Then came the final game against Seattle Christian on April 20.

“We made the game plan on the bus, to put this one out of reach for the Warriors right away, and that’s just what our team did,” said Coach Perrin.

The Pirates batted around twice in the first with singles from Finn Scriver, Sam Walker, Maxwell Delgado-Williams, Josh Parrish, Martin Ellison, and two from Will Frith. Will Weber added two doubles and the top of the first ended with Vashon leading 14-0.

“I’ve never put up 14 on a team or had 14 dropped on me in the first,” said Coach Perrin, “this was a new one for me. I was proud of the team for shooting for something and then going out and doing it.”

Ty Radford started on the mound for Vashon, pitched two innings with two runs and one earned. Jack Harvey pitched in relief. The Pirates never lost control after their strong start and won the game 18-8.

“With three games in two days, it’s not easy to keep up that level of play,” said Coach Perrin. “But, everyone is coming into their roles and the team’s confidence is building. This group is starting to find its identity. They are not trying to be like another team and beginning to believe this is who we are. This is our team and I couldn’t be happier with the growth.”