More than a few in the 4A SPSL realized that at least Washington State University pitcher Rylan Haider would have a chance Thursday to put the finishing touches on this powerful baseball lineup at Puyallup High School.
Guess again.
Haider struggled with control early for Olympia, and the Vikings scored the first four innings, clearing the way for a 10-0 victory over the Bears at the Heritage Recreation Center in Puyallup.
Junior Wyatt Jones threw five finishing innings, so that one hit and knocked out eight in a dominant effort for Puyallup.
Haider gave up only one hit, but the Viking achieved four races in the first - one earned - to take a 4-0 lead.
Jeven Patterson pushed it to 5-0 with his RBI double in the second half for the Vikings.
Jacob Yang, who is on his way to play at the University of Washington, chased Haider (3 ER, 5 BB, 3K) without outs in the fifth with his running single, Brett Ellingson later added a two-run double, and the Vikings finished the mercy winner on Tristan Ringrose’s sacrificial plane to midfield.
Puyallup started 5-0, and has scored at least 10 races in each of his victories so far.