ADNA — An early string of defensive miscues allowed Pe Ell-Willapa Valley to get ahead of Ocosta and stay ahead in a district loser-out game on Tuesday afternoon.

A four-run first inning by the Titans, aided by three Wildcat errors, were enough to secure a 5-0 win in the District IV 2B baseball tournament.

The loss for Ocosta, the Pacific 2B League champions, ends its season at 14-7. Today, PWV (11-11) will take on either Napavine or Wahkiakum in a loser-out game at 1 p.m. in Adna.

“It is unfortunate our early defensive miscues led to those five runs,” Ocosta head coach Mike Allton said.

PWV posted all five runs on Ocosta starter Brandon Harnden in 1 1/3 innings before relief pitcher Zach Allton came in for the Wildcats. Allton shut down the Titans, striking out 11 out of five batters faced and gave up just one hit.

With Allton shutting off PWV at the plate, Ocosta had chances against Titans starter Cub Bair. In the fifth inning, Ocosta had runners in scoring position with one out. In the sixth, Ocosta loaded the bases. Both times, the Wildcats stranded the runners.

“We had chances with runners on base, but we couldn’t catch a break,” coach Allton added. “It was a tale of two games — the first inning and then the next six. Now, I’m looking forward to where we are in sustaining the program at Ocosta. The future looks bright.”

Allton cited seniors Tyler Henry, Sam Quinby and Matthew Hart for their contributions to the program.

Ocosta 000 000 0 — 0 4 4 PWV 410 000 x — 5 8 1

Harnden, Allton (2) and Quinby; Cub Bair, Jurek (7) and Jurek, Bair (7).

RBI: PWV — Jurek 2, Bair, Barnum. Two hits: Ocosta — Allton. PWV — Jurek. Doubles: PWV — Nissell, Jurek.

Winning pitcher — Bair (eight strikeouts, three walks). Losing pitcher — Harnden (one walk).