ARLINGTON — Doug Plucker, head coach of the Arlington High School boys baseball team, was up-front about their 8-2 loss to Stanwood April 9.

“Stanwood’s pitcher did a good job of changing up speeds,” Plucker said. “We weren’t able to adjust at the plate.”

While Arlington led over Stanwood up to the fifth inning, Plucker cited “offensive play” by Stanwood with reversing the two teams’ fortunes.

“Cameron Hanson, our pitcher, threw really well for five innings, except the two home runs that Stanwood got,” Plucker said. “But then, the wheels just sort of fell off and they got enough of a lead that they could play a short game, with base runners and bunts, trading outs for runs.”

Looking back on it, Plucker conceded that his team could have benefitted from getting a relief pitcher for Hanson in sooner, and pledged the team would give its pitchers “more offensive support” in the games to come.

“We can be more aggressive,” Plucker said. “We’ve just got to get the job done at the plate.”