Young Mules have tough start to season

Photos by Todd Wilson

A young Wahkiakum Mules baseball team started their season with three losses this week.

The Mules got three hits in their 9-0 loss to Hockinson in a non-league opener on the road last Wednesday.

Tanner Collupy and Dominic Curl went 1-3 at bat, and Cooper Carlson went 1-2.

Curl started the game on the mound, pitching a little over an inning and striking out two batters. Zakk Carlson stepped in to pitch another inning, and struck out another batter. Collupy pitched a little over two innings, striking out four batters, and Grant Wilson finished the game, striking out one batter.

"This was our first game," Coach Garrett Radcliffe said. "This is my first year as coach for Wahkiakum, taking over from Marc Niemeyer. We are a very young team. We graduated seven seniors last year, but also have many returners."

"Overall, I felt pretty good about this game," he continued. "Hockinson is a great opponent that is two classifications ahead of us, so it was going to be a battle for us, regardless. Their pitcher looked excellent on the mound, and our boys just needed to get into baseball season form. We have a lot to build on and look forward to starting district play soon."

On Friday, the Mules headed to South Bend to take on the Raymond/South Bend Ravens and lost a close game 12-11.

Zakk Carlson went 3-4 at bat and had four stolen bases. Elijah Cothren was 2-4 at bat and had a stolen base. Curl went 3-4 at bat, and had a stolen base.

Curl pitched three innings, striking out four batters. Hank Bassi pitched a little over one inning and struck out one. Zakk Carlson pitched a third of an inning, and struck out one.

"Overall, it was a battle of a game," Radcliffe said. "Wahkiakum was down 7-1 through the third and battled back tying it up. Last inning really harmed us, we gave up five runs and RSB walked off to victory. Still incredibly proud of the boys for battling back from being down early and making a real game of it."

The Mules lost to Morton/White Pass in their first home game of the season on Tuesday 17-16. They host Adna on Thursday and travel to Toledo on Monday.