Ballard High School Baseball is well underway, and the team has already chalked up two wins, before losing to Eastside Catholic. Now the team is 2-1.

In their first game on Saturday March 8 against old rival Bishop Blanchet, a team which made it into the final four in the state last year, the Beavers showed up early and strong. In the second inning, they scored two runs, which Bishop Blanchet responded to in the third inning with just one run. But then Beavers ran away with the game in the fourth inning, scoring four runs. Bishop was unable to muster much more, scoring two more runs, and so the rest of the game was sealed for a total of 6-3, Ballard.

A shout out must be given to Sophomore 2nd basemen Jacob Westerman, who gave a stellar performance in his first start for Ballard high School, who was up to plate three times, hit the ball three times and rallied in four runs for the team.

Against West Seattle, Monday, March 11, the game was a lot closer, resulting in a sweat-beading win clinched by Ballard, 2-1.

It started with three innings of no scoring whatsoever. In the fourth quarter, Ballard was able to get one run in, but the excitement was short-lived when West Seattle scored right back in the fifth inning.

It came down to the eighth inning, becoming a battle of pitchers and catchers. Here, the Beavers had the upperhand. Only four hits total were made against Ballard as the senior trio of pitchers took turns on the mound.

And, when it looked as if West Seattle might make a rally, Junior Outfielder Davis Lohman made a diving catch to nip them in the bud. It was also his bunt which helped them stay in the game, which is why Lohman was made "player of the game."

However, Ballard's winning streak came to an end on March 13 against Eastside Catholic, when the Beavers so-far sturdy defense caved and allowed their opponents to rack up the points, resulting in a 4-7 loss.

Everything was already looking grim in the first inning, when Eastside scored three runs in, points which were unanswered until Ballard scored four of their own in the fifth inning. In the sixth inning, Eastside clinched the game with three more runs.

Seniors Chris Kahn and Joe Jacobsen took care of most of the pitching this time around, each facing a double-digit number of batters. Perhaps tired and running out of energy, each got three runs scored against them. Senior Damani Nkeiruka, who faced three batters, had one run scored against him.

But there's still time for the boys to recoup and get better, as all of the games they have played so far are non-league. On Friday, March 15 the boys will be going into another non-league game as they faceoff against Monroe at the Whitman Middle School baseball diamond, 3:45 p.m.

Zachariah Bryan can be reached at zachb@robinsonnews.com

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