Behind eight strong innings on the mound from senior starting pitcher Matt Robinson (Lafayette, Calif.), the Loggers started the season at home on a positive note, defeating the Missionaries from Whitman 4-2 on March 2 to improve to a 6-5 record on the season.
Puget Sound won the three-game series against Whitman 2-1 but they failed to complete the sweep Sunday afternoon against their conference foe, falling 9-3.
“We need to improve our consistency throughout the rest of the season,” head coach Brian Billings explained. “The talent is definitely there, but at times we play like a young team.”
Even with inconsistent play, Robinson has been the most effective player for the Loggers this early in the season.
“Matt has been great for us all four years,” Billings remarked. “I think he had a down year when he was a junior but he has been taking on a leadership role for our pitching staff this season and has been huge.”
Robinson received run support from junior catcher Christian Carter (San Diego, CA) who went 3-4 in game one with an RBI single in the first inning, along with freshman shortstop Nathan Backes (Seattle, Wash.), who hit a sacrifice fly.
Game two of the double-header on Saturday was completed the following day due to a rain delay.
The Loggers triumphed over the Missionaries in ten innings, winning 5-4, with sophomore centerfielder and leadoff man, Connor Savage (Bothell, Wash.), driving in one of his two runs to win the second game of the series. Junior Lucas Stone (Ashland, Ore.) picked up the victory.
However, the Loggers did not end the series on a high note, allowing the Missionaries to score five runs in the sixth inning in game three to take the final decision. Savage and freshman leftfielder Nick Funyak (Billings, Mont.) led Puget Sound, each hitting doubles.
Billings started three freshmen in every game of the Whitman series, with Backes and Funyak, rounded out with J.B. Eary (Las Vegas, Nev.).
“It is really unusual to have two freshmen start in the middle infield,” Billings stated. “J.B. has been a model of consistency for us at second base and we have relied on Nate in the cleanup spot. Nick has also done very well for us, and we hope to continue seeing improvement from our freshmen and sophomores this season.”
The Loggers now turn their attention to Whitworth, as they will travel to Spokane to compete against the Pirates this weekend for a three-game series.
PHOTO COURTESY/LOGGER ATHLETICS
