The Doug Lange Network 

The Meridian baseball team opened up the 2018 campaign with an 11-to-8 victory over Squalicum at Joe Martin Field Monday night. The Trojans opened up an early 10 run lead and fended off a late rally from the Storm. 

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Meridian scored 11 runs on 7 hits while committing 1 error. The Storm tallied 8 runs on 9 hits, with 1 error. 

 

After taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning, The Trojans added 5 runs in the 4th and 5 runs in the 5th in a game that looked like it would end early. Squalicum responded to the 11-1 deficit by scoring 7 run in the final 3 innings. With two on and two outs, the Storm brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the 7th, before Dylan Hickok got Reid Mazzocano to fly out to center field to end the game. 

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Meridian coach Steve Slesk called it a tale of two games. "I thought we played pretty well early. We're still working some bugs out," said Slesk. "We didn't execute very well which is something we always do. So we're definitely not peaking right now."

 

Listen to postgame interviews with

Matt Belanger & Steve Slesk

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Meridian second-baseman Bryson Hickok went 2-for-4 with a single, a double, 2 RBI's and 3 runs scored to pace the Trojan attack. Matt Belanger went 5-plus innings, striking out 3 to pick up the win. Dylan Hickcock picked up the one-out save. 

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Meridian (1-0) is back in action Wednesday at Blaine. Squalicum (0-1) also plays Wednesday with a road game at Lakewood. 

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- Doug Lange Bellingham