By Joe Traub
Port Angeles Lefties
YAKIMA — It got interesting for the Port Angeles Lefties in the ninth inning Friday, but ultimately they were able to hold on for a 4–1 victory in the opener of a four-game series in Yakima Valley against the Pippins.
Leading 4–0 in the bottom of the ninth, A.C. Chavez was one out away from finishing off a combined team shutout when Yakima Valley’s Nick Israel reached on an infield single to plate Brady Hormel from third base. Tyler Dean then reached base on an error by third baseman Justin Fugitt.
With the Pippins’ Luke Schwartz representing the tying run at the plate, the umpiring crew and the Pippins bench engaged in a lengthy argument that ultimately led to Carter Loewen coming in for Chavez.
Loewen got Schwartz to bounce to third baseman Fugitt, who apparently threw to first in time to end the game. As the Lefties were on the field shaking hands to celebrate a win, the umpiring crew reversed the call and said first baseman Baxter Halligan was off the base when he received the throw.
Yakima was still alive and brought the potential winning run to the plate, but Loewen struck out Christian Padilla on a high fastball to end the game.
Port Angeles plated two runs each in the fourth and sixth innings. Halligan was in the middle of both rallies, hitting a sac fly in the fourth before doubling in Matt Christian and then scoring on a wild pitch in the sixth.
The Lefties recorded hits, two apiece by Halligan and Gavin Rork. Michael Buchanan earned the win in relief as he threw four scoreless innings allowing one hit and striking out six. Buchanan retired 12 of the 13 batters he faced.
Starting pitcher Nate Weeldryer was also strong, allowing one hit and fanning two Pippins in three shutout frames.
The Lefties and Pippins will play a doubleheader today, with the first game set for 4:35 p.m.
Port Angeles 4, Yakima Valley 1
PA 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 — 4 8 1
Yak 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1— 1 6 1
WP: Buchanan LP: Jameson
Pitching
Port Angeles — Weeldryer 3IP, H, 2BB, 2K; Buchanan 4IP, H, 6K; A. Chavez 1.2IP, 3H, ER; Loewen 0.1IP, H, K.
Yakima Valley — Jameson 5IP, 3H, 2R, ER, 2BB, 5K; Woinarowicz 3IP, 5H, 2ER, 2BB, 2K; Brown IP, BB, 2K.
Hitting
Port Angeles — Halligan 2-3, R, 2B, 2RBI; Rork 2-5, 2 SB, R; Rosenberg 1-3, 2B, BB; Groff 1-3, SB.; Christian 0-3, 2BB, SB, R;
Yakima Valley — Schwartz 3-4; Israel 1-2, RBI.
Thursday game
PORT ANGELES — On Thursday, the Lefties lost to the Everett Merchants 7-4 at Civic Field in a nonleague game.
Marco hit a pair of doubles, while Nick DiPonzio and Connor Denning each had two hits.
Michael Fitch came in to pitch in relief and went 4 2/3 innings, giving up three hits, two walks and one earned run.
Everett 7, Port Angeles 4
Ev. 3 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 — 7 9 3
PA 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 — 4 9 2
WP: Kornet LP: Banholzer
Pitching
Port Angeles — Banholzer 0.1IP, H, 3R, 3ER, 3BB; Fitch 4.2IP, 3H, ER, 2BB; Angebrandt IP, 3H, 2ER; Schlotman 2IP; Jamison IP, 2H, ER.
Hitting
Port Angeles — DiPonzio 2-5, R; Marco 2-4, 2 2B, R; Denning 2-3, R; Rork 1-1, R.
The Peninsula Daily News sports staff contributed to this report.
