OTHELLO — The Othello High School baseball team used a strong pitching performance and some good hitting – including a three-run home run from shortstop Jordan Montemayor – to defeat Chiawana 12-2 in five innings March 29.  

“Good game all around,” said Othello Coach Sonny Garza. “We had some good pitching at the start. We were able to get out of a couple jams that (starting pitcher Xzyyvn Martinez) put himself in. Overall, he pitched really well and was able to control the strike zone and throw pitches for strikes.” 

Chiawana used a couple of hits, an Othello mistake and aggressive baserunning to take a 1-0 lead in their half of the first inning. The Riverhawks loaded the bases, but Martinez ended the inning with a strikeout. 

Getting out of a bases-loaded jam, he said, is a matter of concentration and trusting the players behind him. 

“Focusing on the batter (and) what’s in front of you,” he said. “Even when things are tough, you have to trust in your teammates, that they’re going to help you out. Don’t try to be too big. Just let them put it in play, let your defense work.” 

Othello scored three runs in their half of the first inning when center fielder RJay Garza hit a two-run double, followed by a sacrifice fly. The Riverhawks scored a run in the second inning to cut the lead to 3-2.  

The difference was the third inning; the Huskies scored eight runs, including Montemayor’s home run.  

“I was just waiting for my pitch,” Montemayor said. “(The Othello coaches) do a good job preparing us before the game and in practice and helped me get my pitch.”  

Garza said the Huskies were prepared when they came up to bat. 

“Really good at the plate. The kids were looking for one pitch,” Garza said. “They had a good plan; we had a good approach. Before the game started, we talked about our plan, our approach, and it was good to see the kids execute and get it done.” 

There are some places where the Huskies need some work as they start the Central Washington Athletic Conference season, Garza said, especially on the base paths.  

“We need to be a little bit better on the bases. We kind of got a little lackadaisical (and) lazy there in that last inning, so we need to clean that up a little bit more. We’ll do some baserunning work during practice this week,” he said. 

Othello plays its second game of the CWAC season tomorrow in Prosser. 

    Kal-El Ozuna, Othello, squares up for a bunt during the Huskies’ win over Chiawana.
  

    The Huskies’ Ryan Martinez slides into second.
  

    Quade Gonzalez rounds third on his way home in Othello’s 12-2 win over Chiawana.
  

    Othello Coach Sonny Garza said pitcher Xzyyvn Martinez pitched a strong game against Chiawana.