Sports
Mustangs Dissect the Bears 15-2 in State Baseball Opener
Zach Abbruzza tosses six innings and allows only two runs on four hits, while going two for three at the plate with a two-run homerun.
Redmond High School started the 4A state baseball tournament in typical Mustang fashion as the team crushed Olympia 15-2 at Heidelberg Park in Tacoma Saturday morning.
All nine Mustang batters had an at-bat in the first inning, while collecting a 3-0 lead to start the game.
Pitcher Zach Abbruzza kept Olympia hitters off balance by mixing a high velocity fastball and well-located change-up. He carved out eight strike-outs with only one walk.
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“We knew we had to come out and attack them early,” Abbruzza said. “We were able to play with confidence, and that’s a key part of our game.”
Redmond put the game out of reach as starting catcher Dylan Davis hit a mammoth 500-foot three-run homerun over the left center fence and into a nearby gas station parking lot in the top of the fifth inning to extend the lead to 12-2. The Mustang offense put on a hitting clinic the entire game, with the starting line-up having at least one hit and one RBI.
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“We hit the ball well, and the early runs gave us some confidence,” head coach Dan Pudwill said. “We are getting the key hits we need, at the right time, up and down the line-up.”
After coming off a shut-out performance against Marysville-Pilchuck on Monday, Pudwill said he was hoping that the team would show the same confidence it has been building over the past few weeks.
“We came out ready today because everyone knows that the title is on the line,” starting catcher Dylan Davis said. “We’re not playing for second place; we’re gonna win the state title.”
Redmond has had back-to-back games with all nine players in the line-up getting at least one hit. If the hits keep coming the Mustangs will make quick work of their 4A counterparts.
“We did what we expected to do: limit runs and get hits,” Pudwill said. “We are excited and fortunate to be one of eight remaining teams. We want to keep pitching well and stay aggressive and go as far as we can.”
Editor's note: The Mustangs face Kentwood at 4 p.m. Saturday. Check back later tonight for results and highlights from that matchup.