By LARRY ALLMAN

For The Beachcomber

The Vashon Pirates opened the 2010 season March 13 with a resounding 13-1 victory over the Redskins from Port Townsend High School.

The game was played at the Vashon home field under breezy conditions with a mixture of sunny and overcast skies until the sixth inning when a heavy rain began, sending all of the spectators scrambling for cover.

Fortunately, the game ended soon after the rain began, thanks to the dramatics of third baseman Joe Gilmour.

The Pirate pitching duties were shared by Tyler Bernheisel, Julian Smith and Matt Amick, with each player pitching two innings.

Bernheisel started, striking out four and giving up just two hits.

Smith was next, striking out two and surrendering one hit.

And Amick was the final pitcher, fanning one and issuing one hit.

The game was close through three innings, with Vashon holding on to a slim 1-0 lead.

However, starting in the next frame, the Pirate bats went to work, and they scored three in the fourth, four in the fifth and five in the sixth to put the game away.

Leading the 14-hit attack were Bernheisel (who was a perfect four for four with three singles and a double and four RBIs) and Gilmour (who was three for five, with a single, a double, and a walkoff grand slam, ending the game in the sixth on the 10-run rule).

Other Pirates contributing to the hit parade were Ryan Johnson and Matthew Dick (each with two singles). Wes Paulsen, Amick and Smith each added a single.

The line score: Vashon 13 runs, 14 hits and 3 errors; Port Townsend 1 run, 4 hits and 1 error.

All in all, it was a very good opening day effort, made especially enjoyable by the post-game barbecue.

The Pirates are busy this week.

They had a game Monday, with results too late for publication in this week’s Beachcomber.

The varsity team plays today at Chimacum and will play a home game against Charles Wright Academy on Friday.

— Larry Allman is a fan and supporter of Vashon baseball.