Hood River Valley baseball remains perfect through Week 1

“It was a close game with a lot of different things happening and honestly, I didn’t feel too good about this win at all,” said Harjo. “Kellan Duffy did a fantastic job, though, with a good outing on the mound and a couple of big hits, so he did a great job. It’s nice having the three-game win streak to start the season. We’ve got some things to improve on, but we’ll figure out what we need to work on when we’re in Arizona and we’re going to have lots of fun there too.”

Duffy, a senior starting pitcher/third baseman, helped lead the Eagles to victory against La Salle with a strong performance on the mound and at the plate. Duffy pitched a no-hitter through four innings while striking out six, walking four and allowing just one earned run. Duffy led HRV’s offense too as he went 2-for-2 with two doubles, two RBI and a walk. The contest marked the first time in his varsity career that Duffy started on the mound for HRV.

“I knew that we were going to win, but it was just a little too close for comfort,” said Duffy, who kept batters off balance while throwing a fastball and curveball. “It feels fantastic to start the season with a 3-0 record and I feel like we’re going to be a state title contender again this year. We’re hitting the ball well, we’re scoring lots of runs and everyone on our team is playing great. We want to reach the championship game again, which would really be awesome.”

Hood River jumped in front 2-0 in the first inning, highlighted by Duffy’s two RBI double to left field. Seniors Chase Lariza (1-for-2) and Patrick Harvey (1-for-4, single) both scored on the play. Lariza earlier walked and Harvey singled to provide the Eagles with the scoring opportunity.

After a scoreless second, La Salle got a run in the top of the third, trimming the margin to 2-1. The Eagles answered with a run in the bottom half of the frame to make it 3-1 after three.

HRV, which outhit La Salle 6-4, extended its lead in the fourth to 4-1 when senior Dallas Buckley scored on an RBI sacrifice fly by sophomore Morgan Williams (1-for-2, single).

La Salle came back with a two-run fifth, narrowing the margin to 4-3. In the bottom half, HRV didn’t have the benefit of a hit, but the Eagles capitalized on three walks and Lariza scored from third base on a wild pitch to make it 5-3. La Salle responded with a run in the sixth to make it 5-4 and neither team scored in the seventh.

The trio of Lariza, junior Isaiah Enriquez (two innings pitched) and Harvey combined to pitch the final three innings while relieving Duffy. Harvey pitched in the seventh inning and he had one strikeout while earning the save.

In addition to playing baseball, the Eagles will also watch a Major League Baseball spring training game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Seattle Mariners in Arizona.

HRV’s 3-0 record matches the mark they had last year after their first three games. The Eagles are hoping to accomplish the same goal that they had at the conclusion of last year and advance to the 5A finals for a third straight year.

Following a road game March 29 at Gladstone, the Eagles return home for their next contest at 4:30 p.m. March 30 versus the No. 2 Ridgeview Ravens (2-0).