By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

SALEM, Ore.–  Two of Blanchet Catholic’s three freshmen saw action in the Cavaliers 34-0 win over Jefferson Wednesday afternoon in Salem.

In what was both teams first full game of the season, Blanchet turned to Carson McNally to start the game.  The Cavs frosh pitched three innings, striking out seven as his offense gave him a 5-0 lead going into the bottom of the third against the Lions.

“He did well, he was able to throw his curveball well.  The thing was breaking, it was good.  He was all-around…locating the fast ball,” Blanchet catcher Spencer Kowalski said of McNally.

“We were pretty patient out there.  We were patient at the plate and it led to more runs,” McNally adds.  “We can probably improve upon putting the ball into plat some more on offense.

Jace Aguilar looked solid for Jefferson during the opening two innings.  A few plays here and there could’ve saved a few runs that went into the 5-0 deficit they were in going into the bottom half of the third inning as Jefferson looked better compare to the two innings they played against Santiam Christian in the rain-cancelled game Monday afternoon in Jefferson.

The biggest difference that came in the game Wednesday was that third inning.  Patience was key as Blanchet took advantage of 13 walks, four errors, two hit-batters and seven hits to turn a 5-0 lead into a 28-0 lead by innings end.  Consistency put a damper on Jefferson’s promising start to the game as they couldn’t piece it together going into the fourth inning.

“It was good, there were a lot of errors,” Jace Aguilar said of the first two innings.  “There were really two or three earned…just staying disciplined, working and getting better.”

The Lions committed 11 errors in the game as Aguilar finished with four strikeouts in two innings, Diego Aguilar contributed another two in the game on the hill.  Something they’ll look to cut down going into Friday’s game with Santiam in Mill City.

For Blanchet, they’ll hope to carry over that plate patience going into the Volcanoes Tournament Friday where they’ll open the three-day tournament against Amity at 4:30pm.

“That’ll be big.  Maybe work on our approach more and we’ll be looking good going into Volcanoes,” Kowalski said.

Drew Bartels and Sam Schindler each had three hits in the win.

Photos By Jeremy McDonald