La Salle ends HRV’s baseball win streak

The Eagles had won twice earlier in the week over Milwaukie, outscoring the Mustangs 16-1 in those games. But O’Brien kept HRV off balance at the plate and La Salle (14-4, 7-0) benefitted from four Eagle errors and Jack Schweitzer’s home run.

HRV starter Maverick Hockett was sharp on the mound himself, allowing four hits through five innings and striking out seven.

“We got a great start from Hockett, and he helped himself offensively with a hit and stolen base,” HRV Coach Max Reitz said. “Offensively, we just let their guy get too comfortable by being too passive early in the game.

“Give him (O’Brien) credit though, he pitched a really good game.”

La Salle struck for two runs in the second inning and added another run in the third.

Hood River started fast in the series opening road win at Milwaukie (8-9, 2-5) on April 29. HRV jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top half of the first inning but managed only a single tally (in the second frame) for the remainder of the game.

“We emphasized winning the first inning and took a really good approach against their top arm to jump ahead,” Reitz said. “(We) just lost that approach as the game went on and couldn’t put them away.”

Stuben was solid on the mound for the Eagles. He and Trevor Jacobs combined on a two-hitter, issuing five walks between them. They had defensive help, as well, especially in the fifth inning after Milwaukie had loaded the bases.

“Addy made a huge play defensively in the fifth with the bases loaded to keep us in control,” Reitz said of senior Addison Postlewait.

Stuben was 2-for-4 and Jacobs knocked in two runs.

Postlewait got the win in the second game of the series on April 30. “Addy was on the attack on the mound, and we hit balls hard all game and kept adding (to the lead) which was great to see,” Reitz said.

Postlewait tossed a two-hitter, striking out eight with zero walks. He also was one of two Eagles with two hits in the 10-hit output. The senior was 2-for-3, as were Jacobs and Stuben. Jacobs scored three times and Nick Tuttle scored twice and added a triple.

Hood River led 1-0 through four and a half innings. A four-run fourth was followed by a five-run fifth and the contest ended early.

Hood River was scheduled to play May 6 at home against La Salle, hosts unbeaten Canby (15-3, 8-0) May 7 and then travels to face the Cougars May 9. Entering the week of May 5, there continues to be a logjam at the top of the NWOC. Second-ranked (OSAA 5A) Wilsonville was 19-0, 9-0 in league; fourth-ranked Canby is 15-3, 8-0; followed by sixth-ranked La Salle and No. 10 HRV.