Braves start strong but Orcas nine wins

For the La Conner High baseball team, idle the past two seasons, progress is not always measured on the scoreboard.

Take the Braves NW2B home clash with Orcas Island last Friday, for example.

The Vikings posted a 20-6 triumph in six innings, but that does not reflect the strides that La Conner – with seven freshmen and two eighth graders on its roster – has made in three short weeks.

The hosts, fueled by timely hitting, several catching gems and a strong start by pitcher Haydin Dinuis, held a 6-5 lead after four frames before faltering the final two innings.

"We’re making progress,...