Eastlake baseball banks 8-1 victory over Skyline

On Friday, April 18, the Eastlake Wolves beat the Skyline Spartans, 8–1. Although Skyline showed a strong effort, Eastlake’s pitching and lockdown fielding proved too difficult to breach.

The game started with both teams going scoreless until the top of the third, when Skyline finally found its momentum. Skyline’s Braden Bartholomae hit a shot over Eastlake’s right fielder, allowing a runner at third base to secure Skyline’s first and last run of the game. Eastlake followed suit at the bottom of the third when Cody O’Donnell ripped a line drive between Skyline’s left and center field, bringing Rodrigo Montano home to score the first run for the Wolves.

After a scoreless fourth inning, Eastlake resumed their offensive pressure in the fifth after Montano hit a triple past right field, sending Ryan Chung across home plate. Continuing the scoring streak, ODonnell hit a ground ball to shortstop, giving Montano enough time to slide home for another run. Behind 3–1, Skyline desperately tried to bridge the gap. However, Eastlake maintained a tight defense, resulting in three quick runouts, leaving Skyline’s efforts in vain.

At the bottom of the sixth with bases loaded, Skyline substituted their pitcher. Unfortunately, that pitcher threw numerous balls, giving up runs off walks to Eastlake’s Noah Koong, Sawyer Glade, and Dominic Miller. With a 5-run lead at 6-1 and bases still loaded, Eastlake kept the pressure on.

Marcus Frantella continued the chase for runs with a hit to deep right field, sending Sanath Chari across home plate. With Chung on third and two outs against them, ODonnell made a risky bunt, but it paid off. Chung sprinted home to score the final run of the game, sealing a Wolves victory, 8-1.

The Eastlake Wolves face the Puyallup Vikings at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, at Puyallup.

The Skyline Spartans lost to the Issaquah Eagles on Friday, April 25, closing their season with an overall 7-11 record.