Cardinals craft memorable gem for win

MEDICAL LAKE – There might be plenty to forget about since the Medical Lake baseball team returned from spring break and they’ve lost five of the last six Northeast A League games.

But that lone win might just stand out not just this season, but may be reflected upon for years to come?

The past week saw the Cardinals lose at Freeman 11-8, April 18 and split with Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls), winning 1-0 before losing 9-1 in the second game, April 22.

In that opener at Holliday Field, Medical Lake had just two hits, and surrendered that same number to normally heavy-hitting Lakeside.

But the story of the days was pitcher Luke Dickey who tossed what head coach Austin Sharp called, “The best pitching performance I’ve ever watched in AAA (American Legion) or high school.”

The senior never allowed a dangerous ball out of the infield with both Lakeside hits being the infield variety. Sharp reminded that Lakeside’s “A pretty good hitting team that scored 18 runs in 12 innings last week.”

But nearing his pitch-count limit of 105, whether to stay with his starter or go to the bullpen, Sharp let Dickey hang in where he got a pair of outs but left a runner on with a walk.

On came Taylor Oliver who loaded the bases on eight consecutive balls, leaving Sharpe with the decision of bringing in game-two starter A.J. Michaud to attempt to put out the fire.

The freshman delivered, but not without drama. He struck out the final Lakeside hitter after facing a full count of 3-balls and 2-strikes. “That was a little nerve wracking,” Sharp said.

Dickey also scored ML’s lone run in the third inning after walking, stealing second and was driven home by an Oliver single. Kyle Kipp had Medical Lake’s other hit.

Lakeside’s bats came out of their slumber in the second game as the Eagles banged out multiple extra-base hits, and a home run, leading 6-0 after two innings.

At Freeman, the Scotties scored five runs in the bottom of the fifth to erase a 2-1 Medical Lake lead. Griffin Marshall had three hits and a pair RBIs for the Cardinals who got other notable at-bats from Michaud and Kipp with two hits each.

Medical Lake, 4-5 and currently in third place in the NEA standings, has three games remaining, including Newport (April 25) and playing at Colville, Saturday, April 29 at noon.

Results will be critical to seeding for the league’s post-season, but that is quite fluid.

“The benefit is playing a lower a lower seed,” Sharp said of the first round which is loser-out.