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Braves rally, nip Loggers in extra innings

Being better armed proved the difference for La Conner as the Braves edged Darrington 3-2 in a classic pitcher's duel at home March 22.

La Conner hurlers Nathan Bailey and Kenai Zimmerman combined to one-hit the Loggers and fan 14 batters while yielding just a pair of unearned runs in the NW2B/1B debut for both clubs.

Bailey, who threw 83 pitches, struck out 10 and gave up just one safety – a ground-ball single in the fourth inning that caromed off the third base bag and advanced a Darrington runner who later scored with a theft of the plate.

Zimmerman came on in the sixth inning with La Conner trailing 2-0 and retired the Loggers in order over three innings.

La Conner rallied in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings.

With one out, Zimmerman got on after a Darrington error and advanced to third on Brogan Masonholder's sharp single to right. David Holt followed with a clutch single that scored Masonholder and tied the game.

"David Holt had the biggest hit of his life," an elated Braves coach Jeremiah LeSourd said.

Zimmerman in the top of the eighth induced a fly-out, struck out a batter and hit a batter whom he then picked off at first.

In the home half of the eighth, Zimmerman led off with a walk, then stole second and third. He scored the winning run on a wild pitch thrown by Darrington's fourth pitcher on the day.

La Conner's ­bleachers, which were filled for the much-anticipated league contest, erupted with cheers when Zimmerman crossed the plate.

With the win, La Conner improved to 3-0-1 overall. The Braves tied the host 2A Sedro-Woolley junior varsity in a wild 12-12 affair March 20.

Bailey lined two singles and C.J. Edwards ripped a double to pace the La Conner attack against the Cubs, a non-conference pairing that allowed LeSourd and his coaching staff to employ their entire roster.

The Braves were slated to resume league action March 26 opposite Mount Vernon Christian. The Hurricanes entered the week with a 1-1 NW2B/1B mark, having taken a tough 5-4 loss at Coupeville on March 22.

The La Conner baseball and softball teams, the latter of which dropped a 22-2 verdict to Darrington last week, are scheduled to entertain NW2B/1B foe Orcas Island March 29. Both games start at 4 p.m.

 

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