The Cascade Conference schedule makers didn’t do the South Whidbey High School baseball team any favors.
The young, inexperienced Falcons, who are still finding their way, were forced to play the league’s top two teams in five of the first six conference games.
The latest was a 6-0 loss to Cedar Park Christian-Bothell Monday, April 2, in Langley.
With three losses to CPC (7-0, 8-2) and two to the other powerhouse, Archbishop Murphy (4-0, 8-1), South Whidbey’s league record is 1-5 (2-6 overall).
The task was made more difficult, according to coach Tom Fallon, because South Whidbey’s top two pitchers were injured and the Falcons had “to rely on guys with little to no experience.”
The one league win was over King’s, the Falcons’ next opponent. South Whidbey will meet the Knights (1-5, 2-8) at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, at Shorewood High School.
Cedar Park Christian 6, South Whidbey 0
Besides those out with injuries, the Falcons were missing players because of spring break vacations.
The short-handed lineup mustered only four hits, singles by Dax Jokinen, Taylor Brown, Cameron Middlebrook and Nick Young.
The Falcons were also luckless on offense, twice lining into double plays on hit and runs.
The Eagles scored three times in the first inning and once in the second, third and fifth.
“We are improving, but errors still hurt us here and there; we are just young,” Fallon said. “They are fighting, just a lot of guys playing out of position.
“(It’s) tough to learn those lessons at the varsity level.”