Derek Alumbaugh, left, and Peter Aspholm walked off the field after Liberty Bell’s big win over Brewster.
By Don Nelson
Nobody on the Liberty Bell High School baseball team’s 2017 roster was on the field the last time the Mountain Lions beat Brewster — five years ago.
Liberty Bell made up for half-a-decade of frustration with an 8-4, home field win over the Bears on April 18.
The win, coupled with a double-header sweep of Waterville-Mansfield at home on Saturday (April 22), gave the Mountain Lions the best winning percentage record in the Central Washington 2B league with a record of 10-1 (11-2 overall). Brewster was 12-2 and Soap Lake was 11-3 in league play after last week’s games.
Between the Brewster and Waterville-Mansfield games, Liberty Bell lost a non-league game at Okanogan, 7-1, on April 20.
Against Brewster, Liberty Bell scored in each of the first three innings to build a 5-1 lead. Mountain Lions pitcher Derek Alumbaugh kept the powerful Bears lineup in check, allowing four hits and four runs in 6-1/3 innings and striking out six. Liberty Bell added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings.
When Alumbaugh tired in the seventh inning, he moved behind the plate to catch as Liberty Bell’s Peter Aspholm took the mound and got the last two outs to secure the win.
Alumbaugh was the star at the plate as well, going 3-for-3, scoring three runs and stealing three bases. His battery mate, Finlay Holston, had two hits, scored two runs and batted in one. Shay Crandall added two hits, and Cole Darwood and Aspholm each had a double and run batted in.
“We ran the bases well and had some good at bats,” coach Michael Wilbur said. “We are starting to play with more confidence and showing a sense of urgency at the proper times,” Wilbur said.
Wilbur displayed some urgency as well when a Brewster runner was ruled safe at first base on a close play in the seventh inning. Wilbur raced onto the field to vigorously challenge the call, and insisted that the home plate umpire be consulted on the call. The umpires convened, and the call was reversed.
Two days later, Wilbur said, Liberty Bell seemed to come out somewhat flat at Okanogan, managing just four hits and committing three errors in a 7-1 loss. Holston had two of the hits, and Aspholm drove in the Mountain Lions’ only run.
Back at home on Saturday, Liberty Bell put up double-digit numbers in each game, beating Waterville-Mansfield 13-4 and 14-2.
Shay Crandall started on the mound for Liberty Bell in game one and got stronger as the game progressed, Wilbur said.
“Crandall is only a freshman and already a very good all-around ballplayer,” the coach said.
Alumbaugh finished with three strong innings, striking out eight and giving up no hits or walks. Darwood and Leo Shaw each had three hits, and Alumbaugh added two hits and four RBIs
Aspholm pitched the first four innings of the second game and “threw the ball well despite not having his best stuff,” Wilbur said. “When he’s on he is lights out, and he really battles regardless.”
Shaw added another three hits in the second game. Holston had a hit and three RBIs. Alumbaugh had a double and two RBIs.
“Holston and Alumbaugh each were hit [by the opposing pitcher] twice, putting them near the front of the pack in our annual competition for most HBPs,” the coach said.
The leader at the end of the year will receive a blackberry-blueberry pie.
“These were two good wins for us and give us some momentum heading into a week in which we play two good teams,” Wilbur said. “We host Soap Lake on Tuesday (April 25) and go to Tonasket for a make-up game on Thursday (April 27). If we show up and play with intensity and focus, we have a good chance of coming away with two wins and moving closer to having a home game in the district playoffs.”
Tuesday’s game was Liberty Bell’s last home appearance before post-season play. The Mountain Lions are at Oroville on Saturday for a double-header, and finish the regular season next Tuesday (May 2) at Soap Lake.
The district playoffs start on May 9 and continue through May 13.
