Raiders take down Okanogan

Raider baseball swept Okanogan at Greene Field on Saturday by scores of 9 to 6 in both games of the doubleheader.

Head Coach Brandon Byers likes the performance of his squad this early in the season,

"These were the types of games that we really wanted our boys to be in before we start league play,” Head Coach Brandon Byers said. “We had several mental and physical errors in the middle part of both games that were uncharacteristic of the team, but the guys did a great job of bouncing back immediately and not letting past mistakes affect their play."

In the first game, Brady Black pitched a solid game, striking out five batters and giving up only two earned runs. In relief, Justus DeWinkler pitched a no-hitter with three strikeouts.

Black backed his pitching up by batting .500 for the game with a home run and a single to drive in three runs.

Dalton Boutain shoned in the batters box, going two for three, driving in a run and scoring two more himself.

Kendall Piccolo and Lee Williams both scored runs to put the Raiders safely ahead.

In the second game, the Raiders continued to excel on the mound, where Kramer Carlson gave up only two runs while striking out seven Bulldogs.

At the plate, Carlson went four for four with two triples and two runs, and driving in four more.

Not to be upstaged, DeWinkler also hit four for four with a double and a run batted in, and he scored four runs himself.

Lee Williams relieved Carlson in the seventh and pitched a no-hitter with two strikeouts, but did give up one earned run.

Tyler Garvin scored two runs in the second game, getting to base on a single and two walks.

The Raiders gave up several unearned runs, which is something Byers will be stressing to improve before league play starts.

“Overall, we swung our bats pretty well and our pitchers did a good job of continually going after the batters,” Byers said.

The Raiders started league play last night at Greene Field against Brewster, then will travel to Brewster for an 11 a.m. Saturday doubleheader.

This week’s games are important in the Central Washington North championship consideration as Brewster is a perennial baseball power and a contender for state competition year in and year out.