The first time the Lakeridge and Barlow baseball teams locked horns, it wasn’t a pretty outcome. On the March 16 game, the Pacers routed the Bruins 11-0.
But that was in March. On Monday night, the No. 30 Bruins and the No. 3 Pacers again met, this time with the season on the line.
Barlow won Monday’s game at Lakeridge High School 1-0 in the biggest upset of the first round of the playoffs this spring.
Barlow coach Brady Burdick said the first game between the two teams was not indicative of the team the Bruins are in late May.
“We felt we did not give our best effort earlier in the year and looked forward to playing them again,” he said.
A big change for Barlow since the first week of the season, right-handed pitcher River Hamilton came into the picture. The sophomore pitched all seven innings for the Bruins, allowing three hits, walking two and striking out nine batters.
“We feel we can beat anyone with him on the mound, he was incredible tonight,” said Burdick. “We are a confident bunch and tonight proved we can beat anyone.”
Kiyoshi Kiyokawa was the hero for the Bruins on offense. The sophomore infielder had two hits and an RBI.
Paul Wilson started on the mound for the Pacers, allowing three hits and no walks while striking out eight in three innings. Luke Brooks came in for the later four innings, allowing two hits, one run and walking four while striking out seven.
“Lakeridge played a great game and we have a ton of respect for them. Ray does a great job, everyone knows Paul Wilson, and they are tough 1-9,” Burdick said. “Our goal was to turn it into a two-inning game. With a 0-0 score in the sixth, we knew it was a dog fight. I’d take my guys in a dog fight any night. Fun to battle with these guys!”
The Bruins (14-14) will play at Roseburg in the second round of the state tournament. Lakeridge’s season ends with a 21-6 record.
— Nik Streng, nstreng@oregonian.com, @NikStreng