TONASKET – Tonasket’s baseball team earned its first win of the season, holding off an Oroville comeback before pulling away to a chilly 16-6 victory on Thursday, March 22.

The Tigers built an early 6-0 lead before Oroville fought back to trim the margin to 6-5.

Trent Turner, who earned the win on the mound, sparked Tonasket’s second big rally with a safety squeeze in the fourth inning as the Tigers opened up some breathing room and eventually put the Hornets away in five innings.

“The guys are starting to shake some rust off,” said Tonasket coach Tim Cork. “Getting that first win is always nice and I was proud of the guys for their effort. It got pretty cold out there and they stayed focused and played well.”

Chris Elliott walked four times and scored four runs, Jesse Manring walked three times and had three runs, John Rawley had a single, scored three runs and had three RBIs and Jacob Kory had two hits.

Republic 10-7, Tonasket 4-4

TONASKET – Sevens were an unlucky number for the Tigers in Saturday’s doubleheader with Republic.

Tonasket allowed seven runs in the third inning of the opener, which turned into a 10-4 loss, and couldn’t battle back from a 7-0 deficit in the second game.

“We played a good game except for one inning,” Cork said of the opener. “Other than that we were solid in the field and on the mound.

“Dylan Fewkes and Kjeld Williams pitched well and I was proud of their mental toughness.”

John Rawley had two hits, Fewkes had a single and scored twice and Trent Turner singled and scored.

In the second game, the Tigers scored three times in the sixth and once in the seventh to trim a seven-run deficit to three, but could get no closer.

“Their pitcher really kept us in check,” Cork said. “He had good command of our pitches and kept us off balance at the plate.

“I was proud of the guys fighting back. John Rawley pitched his best game so far and I’m excited to see him get better throughout the season. Offensively we are starting to look a little more comfortable at the plate.”

The Tigers hosted Cascade on Tuesday and travel to Chelan for a doubleheader on Saturday, March 31.

Curlew 17-29, Oroville 6-10

OROVILLE – Oroville’s bats couldn’t keep up with Curlew’s in a non-league doubleheader on Saturday, March 24, as the Hornets dropped a pair to the Cougars 17-6 and 29-10.

The Hornets were in the opener until the fifth, trailing 12-6, but gave up five runs to invoke the 10-run mercy rule.

A 15-run first inning in the nightcap was enough to ensure an early finish to the second game as well.

“Truth is we are not a very good baseball team yet,” said Oroville coach Tam Hutchinson. “I have a lot of players that are still learning the game.

“Pitching is a real problem, but it’s getting better. The good news is we are hitting the ball and putting it into play. The players’ attitudes are good. We will just keep working and getting better.”

The Hornets host Bridgeport on Friday, March 30.