In another set of league matchups, the Pe Ell-Willapa Valley baseball team took the first game against Forks, 7-2, thanks to a dominant day from Garrett Keeton, before falling in the second game, 6-4, in extras.
In the first game, the Tigans dropped a six-spot in the first inning and never looked back with Keeton on the mound. The senior struck out 12 in 6 1/3 innings pitched with just four hits and three walks given up.
“Garrett pitched a gem,” PWV coach Kent Smaciarz said. “He stayed focused, worked ahead, and minimized free bags. He’s such a great competitor. It was really nice to have the bats come out firing and give him the support right out of the blocks.”
Riley Pearson went 2 for 3 at the plate with a run scored and two RBIs, and Keeton added an RBI himself to add to a strong individual day.
The second game had a similar start, with PWV scoring four runs in the first inning to take an early lead, but a couple of late inning mistakes led to a 6-4, eight-inning loss to split the doubleheader.
“We started off hot again and Riley gave us a real chance at the sweep,” Smaciarz said. “We were one out from closing the books but a couple critical errors extended the game.”
Pearson pitched a strong first five innings, allowing just one hit and walking one, with one earned run and three strikeouts. He also went 2 for 4 with an RBI at the plate, and Connor Keeton went 1 for 4 with a run scored and an RBI.
PWV will next be in action against Stevenson on the road Saturday at 1 p.m.
