Cardinals challenged by youth, numbers

By PAUL DELANEY

Staff Reporter

A combination of low numbers, little time on the field and inexperience has taken its toll on Medical Lake's baseball team early in the Great Northern League season.

And that may have never been more evident than last week when the Cardinals suffered three one-sided defeats to teams representing the other end of the baseball spectrum.

It all began with a 14-2 non-league loss to Cheney and concluded by getting stung by West Valley in GNL games by 14-1 and 11-1 scores.

“We're basically playing 11 to 12 guys,” coach T.J. Smith said. “We had 11 playing on Saturday,” for a program that had a total turnout in the low 30s. Cheney has 70 to 80 out for its different teams, Smith noted.

Things started off good for the Cardinals in their non-league contest last Tuesday in Cheney when Nick Pacheco and Ryan Wagner each singled in the first inning and later scored, Pacheco on a bunt from Ryan Byrnes and Wagner off a base hit from Ron Miller. But that was it as the Blackhawks scored 10 runs in their half of the frame in what would be a 5-inning game.

On Saturday, West Valley would jump on the Cards for three runs in the first and another pair in the second, putting Medical Lake into a hole they would not be able to climb out of. The Cardinals' only run came in the bottom of the third when Wagner drove in Pacheco with a single.

Game two saw the teams tied after one, but West Valley would score in each of the next five innings, including four in the second and three more in the sixth. Medical Lake's lone run came via a single from Pacheco who was later driven home on a fielder's choice from Cody Carr. Pacheco's hit was the only one ML had on the afternoon.

As was the case last year, lack of time on the field is hurting the team. “Our problem was that we've only had four practices on the field this year,” Smith said. “I'm not making excuses but that's a real factor,” he added.

Paul Delaney can be reached at pdelaney@cheneyfreepress.com

Despite the rough start that sees the Cards with a 1-2 GNL record and 2-7 overall, Smith said, “The kids are keeping their heads up and there are no negative attitudes. They're trying to play the game the right way.” Medical Lake had a non-league game this past Wednesday against Newport and travels to Colville for a noon doubleheader on Saturday.