LANGLEY — Last week, it was all about velocity, as in the speed of the baseball traveling from the pitcher’s arm to the batter.
In this case, 90 mph versus the mid-70s.
The South Whidbey boys team faced the premiere pitcher in the Cascade Conference, Tyler Kane of Archbishop Murphy, on Monday. On the mound for the Falcons was freshman varsity starter Jack Lewis.
“That guy Kane was throwing darts the whole game,” commented third baseman “Duck” Hanna.
Still, the Falcons managed to keep the potential mayhem to a dull roar, losing 3-1.
South Whidbey is 3-10 on the year, while Murphy (11-2) has clinched a spot in the playoffs.
“It was probably the best-played game of the season for the Falcons,” said Falcon coach Dave Guetlin.
It was a pitcher’s duel all the way as University of Washington-bound Wildcat Kane locked horns with Lewis. Both pitchers allowed only five hits each. Each pitcher walked one, and the game lasted only 80 minutes.
Murphy picked up two runs in the second inning, the first on a solo home run from Chris Peterson and the second scored when the Falcon fielder threw to first instead of third.
In the seventh inning, Murphy picked up an insurance run with two outs on the only Falcon miscue of the game.
South Whidbey scored its only run of the game in the second when David Woodbury doubled, to dead center to score Austin Bennett, hit by an errant Kane pitch earlier.
Hanna said the Wildcats were strong at every position.
“Every guy in their line-up can hurt you,” he added.
Lewis admitted to some pre-game jitters, but said they worked out as the game progressed, plus he got good support from his catcher, Woodbury.
“I tried to locate the ball well, since my speed ball leaves something to be desired,” he said.
“I tried to keep them off-balance. The one home run they got came when I hung up a curve ball.”
Playing ball since he was 5, Lewis holds the unofficial record for the most strikeouts for innings played for the South Whidbey Little League; 88 strikeouts in 32 innings when he was 10 years old.
Starting the season late due to an injury, Hunter Rawls said Kane was the “complete pitcher.”
“He had three or four different pitches, and he threw them fast,” Rawls said. “But I think we may have surprised him a few times.
I think we can hit against him but, yeah, he’s very good.”
Hanna said coach Guetlin had a few tips for the team.
“The coach told us not to be intimidated by ATM,” Hanna said. “Never give in to fear; they’re just like us.”
Wednesday, Murphy creamed South Whidbey 13-2 on the strength of two home runs from Wildcats Peterson and Jon Varriano. Rawls made his season debut on the hill, going three strong innings and stifling Murphy’s hitters.
On Monday, April 26, the team travels to Granite Falls for the first game of a week-long series. The Falcons entertain the Tigers at home, 4 p.m. on Wednesday,
April 28.
Jeff VanDerford can be reached at 221-5300 or sports@southwhidbey
record.com.
