The Vashon Pirate baseball team has compiled an impressive 9-2 record so far this season, but its toughest test will come in the next two weeks.

The Nisqually League title is still up for grabs with the top three teams playing each other multiple times before May 5. Vashon will face Seattle Christian twice more and will play Cascade Christian three times before the playoff run begins on May 9.

The Pirates beat Overlake High School, 8-3, in a chilly game at Marymoor Park in Redmond on April 21. Logan Hawkins got the start from the mound, and junior Sam Yates made his varsity pitching debut, giving two strong innings before turning it over to sophomore Ashton Dulfer, who picked up the win.

Offensively, the Pirates were led by freshman Levi Myer, who hit a single, double and his first home run — a solo shot to deep center field.  Clyde Pruett, Hawkins and Josh Hruska Myer each contributed two RBIs. Sharp defensive play by catcher Chester Pruett ended the game on a quick tackle and throw ’em out double play.

The game against Seattle Christian on Wednesday, April 23, was called in the third inning on account of the deluge. That game will be rescheduled for a later date. At the time of the drowning, Josh Myer was on the mound, and the Pirates were trailing 1-0.

Saturday, April 25, found the Pirates at home on a beautiful morning with a huge crowd for the game against The Bush School. Yates was the starting pitcher, allowing two runs in the first inning then settling down and pitching a masterful second and third inning with five strikeouts. Chester Pruett saw his first action of the season, throwing toward the plate instead of sitting behind it.  He faced four batters, had two strikeouts and threw out the third. Clyde Pruett created a bit of a mess from the bump, but Levi Myer quickly sorted that out, and the Pirates rolled to a 14-4 victory.

Hawkins was the dominant bat on the day with four hits and four RBIs.  Sam Schoenberg had three hits and two RBIs and Clyde Pruett had two RBIs. Junior Aeryn Johns saw action in left field and contributed a hit, as did freshman Wyatt Yates, who caught the final innings.

Head coach Steve Hall is readying his team for a big push for good position going into the playoffs.

“We’ve had a fun couple of non- league games this week. The win over Overlake, who really took it to us last year, was nice. The guys really came out with a workman-like attitude and controlled the game from the start. The team was thrilled for Levi’s bomb over the center field fence. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a freshman hit a ball that far.”

He added that Saturday was also opening day of Vashon Youth Baseball & Softball and provided an opportunity to get everyone playing time.

“Now the fun really starts as every game the rest of the way will be a fight for playoff seeding,” he added.

The Pirates played Seattle Christian on Monday, April 27, after press time. On Wednesday, the Pirates will face Cascade Christian for the first time this season at the home field  at 4 p.m. On Friday they will travel to Cascade Christian, and there is a possible makeup game set for Saturday, May 2.

— Cheryl Pruett is the mother of two Pirate baseball players.