Wildcats start out on tough note Top senior sees improvement

It was a tough week for the Mount Si High School baseball team, as they opened league play with two losses.

Mount Si fell to Skyline Tuesday, March 18, 6-1. Trevor Gardunia went two for two at the plate and Taylor Campbell pitched two shutout innings on the mound, but it was a big five-run third inning by the Spartans that broke the game open. Originally scheduled at Mount Si, the game was shifted to Skyline’s field due to weather; bus problems that have also affected other Wildcat spring sports teams recently forced the team to travel in vans.

Thursday, March 20, the Wildcats traveled to Liberty, and despite the continuing transportation issues, got the game in. It was a tight one, which ended with the Patriots winning 4-3. Campbell went three for three with a double, and Frank Tasara pitched six shutout innings, giving up only three hits while striking out ten. Campbell’s senior teammate Jake Handy praised the sophomore.

“Taylor can flat out hit,” Handy said. “I don’t know how he does it.”

Liberty scored four times in the bottom of the seventh to take the victory. The Patriots were aided by a couple of controversial calls by umpires.

Blake Hepner added an RBI double to the cause. The hit scored Justin Poth.

Once again, with no available bus, the team used vans to get to Liberty High School for the contest.

Despite the losses, things are looking up.

“From Skyline to Liberty, we improved a ton,” Handy said. “We were able to put runs on the board against Liberty and hit the ball. We looked good. We just kind of fell apart at the end.”

Mount Si recorded nine hits in the contest against the Patriots.

A makeup game against Black Hills which appeared to be on the schedule for last Saturday was canceled. Because the Wolves are from Tumwater, the game is not likely to be rescheduled.

This week, Mount Si is at Mercer Island Wednesday night, March 26, and home Friday, March 28, against an Issaquah team that, on the way to winning the 3A state baseball title last season, ended Mount Si’s season in dramatic fashion. That game turned out to be former Wildcat coach Gary McGregor’s final game at the helm with Mount Si.

Hepner has a goal in mind for the week.

“We need to at least get one win out of this upcoming week, but two would be ideal,” the senior catcher said.

Wednesday’s game is under the lights at Island Crest Park on the south end of the island at 6:30 p.m., while Friday’s is at the normal time of 4 p.m.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.