Pirates get first sweep, rip Edmonds

Published 2:15 pm Friday, March 21, 2014

Just what the diamond doctor ordered.

Peninsula’s softball squad snapped a four-game losing streak with their first doubleheader sweep of the season, trouncing Edmonds twice on April 13 in Port Angeles.

The Pirates racked up 21 runs and 21 hits in last week’s twin bill, winning both games (9-0, 12-4) in five inning contests shortened by the mercy rule.

"We’re hitting the ball as well as anybody," Peninsula coach Jim Cheney said, "(and) our defense has been vastly improved."

Peninsula got things going early in game one against the Tritons, taking advantage of a leadoff single from Dena Houser, four consecutive walks and a Carly Swingle RBI groundout for a 3-0, first-inning lead.

Swingle added a two-run single in the second inning as the Pirates went up 6-0 and Houser drilled a two-RBI base hit in the fourth inning for the final score.

Swingle was sharp in the contest, tossing a three-hitter, striking out four batters and issuing zero walks.

In game two, Edmonds jumped out to a 4-2 lead before the Pirates erupted for four runs in the fourth inning and six in the fifth.

Laura Campbell tied the game in the fourth at 4-4 with an RBI single and Marquita Espinoza followed with a two-run home run to centerfield.

Houser added a two-run hit the next inning and Espinoza capped the game with a run-scoring double.

Espinoza finished the game 4-for-4 with four RBIs and Campbell had three hits.

Despite giving up six hits, Peninsula starter Shana Butcher gave up no earned runs and walked just one batter.

Peninsula isn’t back on the diamond until April 23 when it hosts Bellevue.

"The time off will help us heal up a bit," Cheney said.