EVERETT — Already leading by three runs in the bottom of the first inning, an Arlington assistant coach reminded the light-hearted dugout throughout the early innings, “Hey, we haven’t done anything yet.”
“It’s just kind of a mantra, when we get up early, we want to keep the pressure on,” Arlington coach Doug Plucker explained after his Eagle baseball team beat Everett 6-4 to go 1-0 in the first of half of the schools’ two-game series.
Pressure was the name of the Arlington game, with their two biggest hits coming in two-out situations.
The Arlington batting order frustrated Everett’s starting pitcher Michael Murray. Three of Arlington’s first four bats hit singles against the junior pitcher. Outfielder Tony Geist scored first for the Eagles, finding home on an Everett error, while a double by designated hitter Jerod Baker brought in Kyle Ayres and Kekoa Riggen.
Everett closed within a run in the bottom of the third, but Arlington quickly rallied at the next opportunity as Jon Van Eyk hit a three-run homer with two outs to put Arlington safely ahead.
The junior first baseman played a critical role defensively as well, combining with his infield teammates for 12 stops at first base. He gave up no errors.
Of Van Eyk’s second season starting at first base, Plucker said, “He has the uncanny ability to pick up hits out of the dirt.”
Plucker added that he was happy to see his team’s runs coming from their bats.
Sophomore pitcher Justin Surber did his part to keep Arlington on top, throwing a complete game, striking out six and giving up just five hits in seven innings.
While Arlington High was on spring break, the baseball team carried a heavy load of four games including a second game against Oak Harbor and a series against Snohomish.
“(Surber) did what we asked him to — throw low,” Plucker said. “He had 75 pitches, which allowed him to go deep in the game, a blessing for our pitching staff. They’re rested and ready for next week.”