Riding a seven-game win streak, the Wildcat boys baseball team delivered a domination of visiting Juanita Friday, April 8, then decisively handled Mercer Island on Saturday.

In their first game of the season under sunny skies, Mount Si shut out Juanita at home, 9-0.

With pitcher Trevor Taylor eliminating Juanita pitchers in quick succession, the Wildcats claimed long strings of at-bats. When Juanita did manage to get on base, Taylor’s senses and quick signals from catcher Robb Lane sent balls flying to bases to quell any Rebel stealing action.

“We were both in sync,” said Taylor, a junior.

On the mound, Taylor said he just wanted to throw strikes.

“I know I have a good defense behind me,” he said. “I let them do the work.”

“The biggest thing this year has been having good communication with the pitchers,” said Lane, a senior. “Knowing their strong points, knowing your staff is big, and that’ll help us.”

Mount Si’s Dustin Breshears got on the boards first in the bottom of the first; he stole second during a Robb Lane at-bat, then scored on a another steal during Trevor Lane’s turn at the plate. Also in that inning, Max Brown brought Tim Proudfoot home on a single.

In the third, with bases loaded, Proudfoot and Lane came home on another Brown single.

Derek Welch whacked a home run over left field in the fourth, and Dustin Breshears hit a triple, then came home on a Robb Lane single. Lane came in on a Proudfoot single.

In the fifth, Max Brown hit a double, then came home on an Andrew Dunklee single. Dunklee made it home on the strength of a triple by Justin Henak.

Taylor was replaced in the sixth by senior Hudson Luxich, who continued to hold Juanita scoreless.

“We control the running game really well,” head coach Elliott Cribby said. With Proudfoot at shortstop and Breshears at second, “that’s the best middle in the state, in my opinion. Having those guys is a blessing.”

At bat, Cribby emphasizes a balance of aggression and patience.

“You can be aggressive and still wait for your pitches,” he said.

While weather may have been keeping some opponents off the field, Cribby has also ensured Mount Si built experience on the field, rain or no. He credits the team’s ground crew efforts.

The Wildcats’ communication on the field also remains strong.

“We put a lot of pressure on the other teams, and it’s paying off so far,” Cribby said.

On Saturday, April 9, the Wildcats went on to handle Mercer Island, 11-1, in a make-up of a lightning-postponed match at Island Crest Park.

The boys next play Monday, April 11, hosting Liberty, then Wednesday, April 13, at Sammamish.