Baseball and softball lose to Island County

Home or away, it didn't matter.

Matching up with Friday Harbor and Orcas were tough tasks last week for the La Conner High School baseball and softball teams.

The Braves (1-6) fell 16-1 at Friday Harbor last Tuesday and were defeated 20-4 by the Wolverines in a rematch at home Friday. The boys dropped a 11-6 decision at Orcas Saturday afternoon.

The Lady Braves (0-9), whose roster features several first-year players, lost 21-1 at Friday Harbor April 4 and came up short 9-4 at Orcas Saturday.

"It was a tough week with some important positives," said Braves coach Jeremiah LeSourd, who has guided La Conner teams into post-season in the past, but this spring is rebuilding with a lineup of underclassmen.

Highlights of the Braves' first meeting with Friday Harbor included solid starting pitching by Brogan Masonholder and the rare triple play initiated by third baseman Brayden Pedroza.

With runners at first and second, Pedroza fielded a hard-hit grounder and stepped on his bag. He threw a strike to C.J. Edwards at second, who tossed the ball to first baseman Logan Burks.

La Conner dealt with traffic on the base paths much of the afternoon.

"We allowed the leadoff hitter to get on and score each inning," LeSourd lamented, "and that's what we're focused on improving as well as getting the third out as efficiently as possible."

Edwards led the Braves attack with a single and double. Kaleb Otis added another base hit for La Conner.

When La Conner entertained Friday Harbor three days later, Kenai Zimmerman was on the hill and responded with a crisp 11-pitch third frame.

"Unfortunately," said LeSourd, "we weren't focused on defense."

Offensively, however, the team showed discipline at the plate and drew six walks and one hit batsman. Four of those walks came during a three-run second stanza. Otis and Masonholder each scored on passed balls and Pedroza plated when Burks was hit by a pitch.

Burks and Masonholder shared mound duties at Orcas, where LeSourd said La Conner played well save for "one inning that got away from us."

"But we regrouped," he said, "to finish strong on a very windy day."

Burks helped his cause with a two-run single. Zimmerman also had a base rap for the Braves.

La Conner will be bolstered in the weeks ahead with the addition of pitcher Nate Bailey, who last year was selected for the Native American All-Star Game in Atlanta.

"We've had a chance to have six players pitch and begin to get comfortable and build confidence," said LeSourd. "Nate gives us a seventh pitcher and he will also help solidify our infield, which will help us be more consistent.

"Our confidence as a team is beginning to improve," LeSourd added, "and we expect to be a much stronger team going forward from learning from our growing pains."

Both La Conner teams were scheduled at home yesterday opposite league rival Concrete and home against Coupeville Thursday, a 4 p.m. game.