Skagit Valley poured it on in all seven-innings in 15-1 win.
How it happened: After a strikeout to open the game, the Cardinals singled for the first hit of the game in the 1st; a pass ball advanced the runner to second and the next batter drove him in with an RBI-double.
After a hit batter, runners were at first and second with one out. The next batter worked the count full before hitting a three-run home run to make it 4-0 Cardinals. The next two batters in the 1st reached on singles but Charlie Patterson retired the next two to end the top half of the 1st.
The Cardinals added to their run total in the 2ndwith a one-out single and fielder's choice error put two on. The next batter then made it 5-0 with an RBI-single. On a double steal attempt, an error by first baseman Takanori Shimizu allowed the sixth run of the game to score (it was unearned).
Continuing their scoring, the Cardinals got the first runner of the 3rd on after a strikeout wild pitch; a stolen base and RBI-single made it 7-0. With a chance to end the inning, Takanori Shimizu committed his second error of the game and the eighth run for the Cardinals scored.
In the 4th, the Cardinal went single, double, RBI-single after a groundout to start the inning, making it 9-0. Patterson finished the inning with a strikeout and flyout to avoid a ten-run deficit and a potential seven-inning game due to run-rule.
The Titans got their first two hits of the game in the 4th from Skyler Vail and Jaxon Woodhouse, but were unable to push any runs across the plate.
Avoiding their first scoreless inning with a new pitcher on the mound (Drew Staley), the Cardinal got two on after a hit-by-pitch and fielder's choice error, putting runners at first and second with two-outs. The next two batters would each hit RBI-singles to make it 11-0 in the 5th.
To continue the unbelievable game, the Cardinals opened the 6th with a single and a two-run home run to make it 13-0.
The Titans avoided the shutout with three singles from Takanori Shimizu, Skyler Vail and Matt Dallas. Dallas drove in Shimizu for the Titans first run in the 6th.
The Cardinals quickly responded against Kyle Strange in the top of the 7th with a two-run single after a flyout, walk, hit-by-pitch and error by Jack Swisher to make it 15-1.
The Titans had two-on and two-outs in the bottom of the 7th, but a strikeout of Curran Mitzel ended the game in seven-innings.
What/who stood out: 15 runs allowed ties the 15-5 loss at Mt. Hood for most runs allowed, fourth time allowing double-digit runs…19 hits allowed is a season-high; previous was 14 three times…two home runs allowed is the third time this season, first since 6-4 win at Clark…five hits is tied for the third fewest behind three in a 8-3 loss at Lower Columbia and four at Edmonds in 4-0 loss…The first four hitters in the lineup went 5-for-12 with an RBI, the rest went 0-for-12 with six strikeouts…five errors ties a season-high with the 14-10 loss at Clark.
Takanori Shimizu went 1-for-3 with a run scored, but committed two errors…Skyler Vail had the only multi-hit game and went 2-for-3…Matt Dallas drove in the only run and went 1-for-3 and also had two errors…Jaxon Woodhouse had the fifth hit and went 1-for-3.
Skagit Valley came in averaging 4.83 runs/game and a 6.21 ERA during conference play and the Titans averaged 6 runs/game and a 4.59 ERA in conference. The 15-1 score is a 15-run difference if you consider the averages pecked this as a 6-5 type of game for the Titans. For more info about both teams and potential opponent Tacoma, look at the preview attached to the game.
What it means: The Titans will have to win two games tomorrow and one Sunday to advance. The next loss will end their season.
What's next: The Titans play the loser of Skagit Valley at Tacoma tomorrow at noon. Skagit Valley and Tacoma play later today at 4:00 p.m.