By Steve Powell
For the Herald
ARLINGTON — Tristan Sheward pitched a complete game, striking out six and walking none, to lead Arlington to a 5-1 win over visiting Ferndale Wednesday.
The win clinched a state berth for the Eagles for the second year in a row. They will play Saturday to see if they will be seeded third or fourth out of District 1.
“Tristan gave up one run again. You’re going to win a whole lot of games that way, and we have,” Arlington coach Scott Striegel said. “He pounds the strike zone.”
Ferndale’s only run came on an error, but overall, “The guys made plays. That’s what we are,” Striegel added.
Arlington got on the board first in the bottom of the third inning when junior Gavin Rork singled up the middle, stole second and went to third on a passed ball.
Sheward knocked in the run with a line-drive double over the leftfielder’s head. Sophomore Jack Sheward followed with another double after the rightfielder lost the ball in the sun.
Ferndale followed in the top of the fourth with its only run of the game. Matt James doubled over the centerfielder’s head then scored on an Arlington infield error.
The Eagles responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning to take control of the game for good.
Senior Jake Russell was safe on an error, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, moved up on a single to center field by freshman Owen Bishop, then scored on a wild pitch.
Rork hit an RBI double in the gap, followed by another RBI double by Tristan Sheward.
The Eagles threatened in the fifth, but a popped-up bunt on a suicide squeeze ended the inning with a double play.
Arlington added an insurance run in the sixth on two walks, a stolen base and an error.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.