BLAINE — Blaine junior pitcher Diego Gutierrez powered the Borderites to a bounce-back victory over Granite Falls, 14-4, in a six-inning non-league game Saturday afternoon at Pipeline Fields.
It was a much-needed win for Blaine, entering the contest on the heels of consecutive losses to Mount Vernon and Anacortes.
The game was tied 4-4 heading into the bottom of the second inning before Blaine pulled away, scoring four runs in the frame. Gutierrez held Granite scoreless over the final four innings.
“At first I had trouble finding my pitches, but then I got settled in and felt more comfortable,” Gutierrez said. “My teammates had my back, which helped a lot.”
Blaine pitcher Diego Gutierrez watches his throw to the plate. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
Gutierrez pitched all six innings, striking out seven while walking one batter and allowing five hits and one earned run.
Granite Falls did its best to keep Blaine from getting ahead, as the Borderites went scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings.
Blaine racked up five runs in the bottom of the sixth, with senior outfielder Josh Audette, junior outfielder Jesse Deming and junior first baseman Alejandro Moser-Hernandez all driving in runs in the inning.
Senior Alex Puls led the Borderites offensively, finishing 3-for-4 at the plate with three RBIs and two runs scored. Moser-Hernandez was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.
Junior shortstop Deon Bowman was walked twice, making good on his only official at-bat with a triple, an RBI and a run scored, while fellow junior Mason Akre crossed home plate a game-high four times.
Blaine picked up a total of four bases on balls.
Blaine second baseman Grady Swinburnson reacts after being hit by a pitch, one of nine by the Granite Falls pitcher. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
Coming off a tough two games that saw Blaine lose to two of the best teams in the Northwest Conference, the Borderites were pleased with the win.
“We struggled a little defensively in the first half, but we were able to pick it back up and end strong,” said Puls, an Everett Community College commit.
With this win, Blaine players are feeling pretty confident about the rest of their season.
“We battled and we’re at 4-3 right now. We’re looking to make a deep run at the state title,” Puls said.
Blaine moved to 4-3 overall on the season (1-3 NWC) and will travel to Burlington-Edison (5-2, 3-1 NWC) at 4 p.m. on Monday, April 3.
Granite Falls fell to 2-6 overall (1-3 Emerald Sound Conference) and will travel to Sultan (1-7, 0-6 ESC) at 4 p.m. on April 3.
Blaine players cheer as a teammate scores a run. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
