By RITA ALLMAN and JEFF JOHNSON

For The Beachcomber

The Vashon High School baseball team began league play last week with a win over the Charles Wright Tarriers and a loss to the Chimacum Cowboys.

On Tuesday, March 22, the Pirates took on Charles Wright at home. 

The Tarriers struck first with a run in the top of the first inning, but Vashon scored three in the bottom of the second, aided by a key throwing error by the Charles Wright pitcher. 

The score remained 3-1 until the top of the sixth, when the Tarriers scored two as Vashon’s starting pitcher Tyler Bernheisel began to tire. 

The Pirates struck back in the bottom of the inning as Erik Powelson singled to right and advanced to second on an error. Ezra Lacina stepped to the plate and singled, driving in Powelson. 

The Tarriers tied the score in the top of the seventh, but Vashon shortstop Ben Reoux made two key defensive plays to stop the rally.

In the bottom of the seventh, Bernheisel led off with a base hit and advanced to second on a pitch that got past the catcher. Julian Smith singled down the left field line, and with Bernheisel running at full steam coach Steve Hall sent him home. The Charles Wright left fielder made a strong throw, but Bernheisel slid under the catcher’s tag for the win.

Hitting highlights included Peter Johnson going 2 for 4, Lacina hitting 2 for 3 with a double and Zack Drape’s 2 for 4. On the pitching side, Bernheisel surrendered just one earned run over six innings. Smith closed out the game in the seventh giving up a lone run.

Line score:  Vashon 5 runs, 9 hits, 2 errors, Charles Wright 4 runs, 7 hits, 4 errors. This was a key win for the Pirates, as Charles Wright was undefeated.

On Friday, March 25 the Pirates took a thumping at the hands of the Chimacum Cowboys, 14-0, on the Vashon field.

The outcome was decided early, as the Cowboys put up seven runs in the first two innings and never looked back. Chimacum’s Landon Cray hit two home runs, drove in three runs and had a triple as the Cowboys (5-1, 2-0) shut down the Pirates in the shortened mercy-rule game.  

Seven Cowboy hitters had two or more hits as Chimacum collected 18 hits for the game. Quinn Eldridge earned the win and struck out nine, walked two and gave up just two hits. Eric Powelson and Julian Smith pitched for the Pirates, with Powelson taking the loss.

Line score: Chimacum 14 runs, 18 hits, 1 error, Vashon 0 runs, 2 hits, 3 errors.

On this day, the Cowboys showed why they are one of the premiere 1A baseball teams in the state. 

The Pirates battled Orting on the road on Tuesday, March 29.

Next, they will take on Seattle Lutheran in non-league play at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 31 on the Vashon Field. 

— Rita Allman does team support for the Pirates; Jeff Johnson is the father of a player.