UPDATE: Information added for Ocosta versus North Beach baseball game.

Elma saw a big lead slip away in a season-opening tie as we review Twin Harbors prep sports on Friday.

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PREP BASEBALL

Elma 8, Castle Rock 8

Elma got off to a great start but failed to close in an 8-8 tie with Castle Rock in the Eagles’ season-opener on Friday in Elma.

Elma (0-0-1 overall) got off to a solid start behind the performance of starting pitcher Brody Palmer. After getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the first inning, the Eagles left-hander cruised through four innings of work, allowing just one hit and four walks while striking out 11 of the 12 batters he retired in the game.

The Eagles offense did its part, taking a 2-0 lead after second baseman T.J. Dunlap scored on a throwing error off a hard-hit ground ball from center fielder Isaac McGaffey followed by McGaffey coming in to score on a passed ball later in the first.

Elma added an insurance run when freshman third baseman Bryston Crawford lined a single into center field with two outs, chasing home Palmer for a 3-0 lead in the third.

RYAN SPARKS | THE DAILY WORLD Elma’s Bryston Crawford smacks an RBI single during an 8-8 tie against Castle Rock on Friday in Elma.

An inning later, the Eagles would blow the game open with four runs – highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of shortstop Jack Alexander – to take a commanding 7-0 lead.

But Elma’s bullpen couldn’t hold the lead as relievers Crawford (1.1 IP, 4R, 3ER, 4H, 3BB, 2K) and Dunlap (1.2 IP, 4R, 0ER, 5H, BB, 2K) combined to allow eight runs over the final two innings of play.

With Elma leading 8-7 and the tying run on first base, Dunlap appeared to secure the final out when he got Castle Rock’s Jacob LaFever to fly out to McGaffey in center field, but the Eagles’ victory celebration was nullified by a balk call on Dunlap. A few pitches later, LaFever singled to right to score Trevor Rogen and tie the game at 8-all.

Elma had its chances to earn a walk-off win in the bottom of the seventh when an error, a walk and a fly out by McGaffey put the winning run in Colt Landstrom on third base with two outs.

Alexander then grounded out to third, ending the inning with the game still tied.

The umpires then called the game due to darkness.

“I thought it was awesome. Brody was awesome on the mound,” new Elma head coach Austin Neary said of his team’s performance. “We hit the ball great. It’s just some little things we need to work on. … Great effort by this team. We have a lot of young guys playing and I thought they played awesome. … We just have little things to work and and we’ll work on it and get better. Each day is a stepping stone.”

RYAN SPARKS | THE DAILY WORLD Elma starting pitcher Brody Palmer allowed one hit and struck out 11 over four innings of an 8-8 tie against Castle Rock on Friday in Elma.

The tie spoiled a fine outing by Palmer, who struck out the side in three of the four innings he pitched and allowed a lone LaFever double in the first as the Rockets’ only base hit through the first four innings of the contest.

Palmer joined Dunlap and Alexander as Eagles with two hits in the game.

Of the eight runs allowed by Elma pitchers in the game, only three were earned.

The Eagles host Shelton at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

Castle Rock 000 004 4 – 8 10 3

Elma 201 401 0 – 8 8 3

Leading hitters: CR – LaFever (3-4, 2B, Chisholm (1-3, 2R, RBI); Honey (1-2, R); Rogen (1-4, R, RBI). Elma – Dunlap (2-4, 2R); Alexander (2-8, R, 2RBI); Palmer (2-3, R, RBI); Crawford (1-4, 2RBI); McGaffey (1-4, 3R).

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Ocosta 20, North Beach 0

Ocosta had a plethora of free passes in a 20-0 win over North Beach on Friday at Grand Army Memorial Park in Westport.

The Wildcats (1-0) scored 20 runs on just seven hits and benefited from 17 walks by four Hyaks pitchers to earn a five-inning, season-opening victory.

Marc Sevilla led the Wildcats at the plate, going 2 for 4 with three runs scored and two RBI.

Six different batters collected a hit for the Wildcats, including Kevin Lopez, who went 1 for 1 with two runs scored, three walks and four RBI.

One of those Wildcats who did not get a base hit but still had an impact on the game was Troy Griffith, who went 0 for 0 with a run scored, two walks and three RBI.

Dominick Hanson-Miranda earned the win for the Wildcats, allowing no runs and no hits with a pair of walks and four strikeouts in two innings pitched.

Caden Arbona (2 IP, 0R, H, 3K, BB) and Lopez (IP, 0R, 0H, 2K) pitched in relief for Ocosta.

The Wildcats face Pe Ell-Willapa Valley at 4 p.m. on Wednesday in Pe Ell.

North Beach hosts Lake Quinault at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

North Beach 000 00 – 0 1 3

Ocosta 456 5x – 20 7 0

WP: Hanson-Miranda (2 IP, 0R, 0H, 2BB, 4K). LP: n/a.

Leading hitters: Ocosta – Sevilla (2-4, 3R, 2RBI); Bottleson (1-3, R, RBI); Bonina (1-2, R, RBI); Arbona (1-3, 2R, RBI); Lopez (1-1, 2R, 4RBI, 3BB); Quinby (1-1, R, 2RBI); Griffith (0-0, R, 3RBI, 2BB).

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Other games

Prep Softball

North Beach 5, Quilcene 4