Baseball Snags First Win Over Federal Way 8-4

Cody Hughes helped drive in three runs, and a mix of strong defense and pitching propelled Enumclaw (1-0)  to a 8-4 victory over Federal Way (0-1) on Friday night at Osborne Field in Enumclaw. It was the season opener for both baseball teams who each finished third in the state in their respective classifications in 2010.

"The most impressive thing about our team tonight was our defense," Enumclaw coach Eric Fiedler said. "We had a couple of huge digs at first base that could've opened up some things for Federal Way."

Hughes got the Hornets started in the bottom of the first inning with a line drive two out single that scored Kyle Baumgartner to stake Enumclaw to a 1-0 lead.

"I was sitting on a fastball and got the run in," Hughes said.

The game would lock in for the next several innings to be a tight pitchers' dual all the way into the bottom of the fiifth inning with Enumclaw leading 3-1. The cleanup batter Hughes came through one more time for the Hornets knocking a drive to right field that  was mishandled by the Federal Way right fielder scoring Baumgartner and Tyler Carlson to stretch the Enumclaw lead to 5-1.

"It was a tough setting without a bank of lights in the outfield," Fiedler said. "Both teams ended up with an error because of it during the game that gave each team a run.

Fiedler also praised his cleanup hitter Hughes after the game for his clutch performance.  "Cody does a great job of getting two-out hits and driving in runs with baserunners in scoring position," Fiedler said. "He adds to our good depth in our lineup."

The Hornet pitching staff was also a controlling force as five Enumclaw pitchers kept an explosive Federal Way offense down to four runs. A key to success for the Hornet pitching staff was its ability to handle adversity.

Fiedler leauded the efforts of senior reliever D.J. Hitch and the way he battled through adversity on a cold evening. "D.J. really beared down after giving a couple of doubles and worked his way out of the sixth inning." he said. "He usually has a really good feel for his curveball and he worked his way through the elements."

Enumclaw put the game away in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Trenton Disque doubled in Hitch to put the Hornets lead at 7-3, and they would add one more run on Carlson's two-out single driving in Disque and giving Enumclaw a 8-3 lead going into the top of the seventh inning.

With the win the Hornets now move on to a Jamboree on Saturday at Mount Rainier. Enumclaw will play three innings against both Mount Rainier and Renton High School. Fiedler and Hughes know that everyday is important to compete and get better especially since they had spent most of their time inside the gym this spring due to the inclement weather.

"I'm looking to see Andrew Ocker get some swings in the jamboree," Fiedler said. "He hit a three-run homerun in our inter-squad scrimmage the other day."

On the team's competitive nature: "Our guys also love competing against themselves and with each other -- it really helps us everyday," Hughes said. " We just have to keep working hard, swing the bats and making plays. If we are in the gym or outside we have to get our work done."

Box Score

Federal Way 001 002 1    4 -5- 3

Enumclaw    200 042 x-  8-11-1

WP- Goodin   

LP- Webber

On Deck for Enumclaw: Saturday Jamboree at Mt. Rainier at 12 p.m., and Monday at home against Sumner at 4 p.m.