ARLINGTON — While the Arlington baseball team might not have been happy with the way their season ended, coach Erik Heinz said the team’s 10 departing seniors should be proud of the effort they put forth this season.

The Eagles lost 3-1 in eight innings against 2A powerhouse Cedarcrest May 4 to end their season. The seniors played all of the first seven innings with Kyle Ayres striking out eight in his seven innings on the mound.

“I can’t question their effort. I’d never question their effort,” Heinz said afterward. “We had lots of opportunities to win, but that’s baseball.”

Cedarcrest scored first, their slugger catcher singling to a hole in the outfield in the second inning. His courtesy runner stole second base and scored on a pass ball at home plate. Still the Eagles were able to close out the inning, leaving three stranded on base, striking out two and stopping the third at second base. Shortstop Kekoa Riggen and second baseman Chris Wendland connected again defensively in the third inning, turning a double play to hold Cedarcrest to three batters.

In the fourth, they were able to tie it up as designated hitter Jon Van Eyk found a sweet spot just behind the Cedarcrest shortstop, getting to first base. A couple of batters later, catcher Thane Street exploited the same spot, moving Van Eyk into scoring position for Danny Huleatt’s RBI single.

In each of the next four innings, Arlington put runners on base and in position to score, but were unable to bring anyone home. The seventh inning was probably Arlington’s best opportunity as Ayres and Riggen reeled off hits and an intentional walk of Van Eyk gave the Eagles three base runners with one out. But the Red Wolves pulled out the second and third outs and scored the game-winning runs in the top of the eighth.

Although Arlington had its woes this season, Heinz pointed out that the Eagles had been competitive in most of their games this season.

“We were three one-run games from being in the playoffs,” he said. “We battled hard all season. No one can take that away.”

At least two of Arlington’s seniors hope to keep playing baseball after retiring the blue and gold. Van Eyk, who emerged as a pitcher for Arlington this season, plans to play at Everett Community College, while Arlington ace Ayres hopes to make an impact at the University of Washington, where he plans to enroll next year. Riggen added that he’s interested in playing at Everett as well, after he completes a two-year mission through his church.

The Eagles will return four juniors from this year’s squad — pitcher Justin Surber, catcher Dustin Ward, infielder Garth Rose and slugger Brandon Pierce.