Story courtesy Highline Bears
Photos by Isabel Herbruger

The Highline Bears capitalized on shaky Langley Blaze pitching and notched a 10-0 win on Opening Night at Steve Cox Memorial Field on Saturday, May 28.

Three Blaze pitchers combined to hit seven Bears hitters and walk seven more allowing Highline to score their runs on just three hits. Bears starter Al Miller (1-0) blanked the Blaze holding them to just four hits for the shut out.

A game that started out looking like a pitcher’s duel changed when the Bears got on the scoreboard in the fourth on Connor Jones’ two run single, which scored Cameron Slader and Colton Kelly who were each on base courtesy of being hit by a pitch.

Things really fell apart for Langley when Myles Wesner led off the fifth by getting plunked by a pitch. Angel Valencia followed with the first of his two walks and Slader’s second hit by pitch of the game. That loaded the bases for Garrett Terrell who drove in a run via a walk. Parker Coffee used one the Bears three hits drive in a run followed by another walk, this time to Ben Fitzhugh. That marked the end of Blaze starter Brandon Marklund (0-1).

Blaze reliever Barry Caine got Jones to hit into a RBI fielder’s choice before walking Drew Lorea and hitting Wesner with the bases loaded. A walk to Valencia drove in the Bears sixth run of the inning and put Highline up 8-0 after five.

The seventh inning would be the final of the game after Ben Fitzhugh and Jones led off with walks followed by a double by Lorea and RBI fielder’s choice by Wesner putting the Bears up by 10 and bringing the Langley head coach out of the dugout to call the game.

For the Bears, it wasn’t just offense either. Al Miller, a junior at Central Washington University scattered Langley’s four hits while striking out four, walking one and hitting one Blaze batter. Thanks to a solid Bears defense which used two double plays to limit Langley’s chances, Miller never allowed a runner past second base.

The Bears faithful fans who braved weather which may have been as unsteady as Blaze pitching, were treated to a solid, all-around performance. Making this win even more impressive is the fact that this year’s Highline squad has yet to hold a practice yet due to the recent rain.

ISABEL CELEBRATES 12TH BIRTHDAY, THROWS OUT FIRST PITCH
South King Media Photojournalist Isabel celebrated her 12th birthday on Saturday, and to honor her the Bears surprised her by having her throw out the first pitch:

Click here to view the embedded video.

BEARS HAVE FIRST PRACTICE, MEET NEW COACH

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Now in her second year with more great work is our youngest-ever Contributor – 12-year old Isabel Herbruger – Local Girl Scout, 4-H member, and aspiring photojournalist. We encourage residents of all ages to submit stories and photos for posting – for consideration, please email yours to [email protected]!]

Photos and Story by Isabel Herbruger, age 12

The Highline Bears had their first team practice on Friday, May 27.

With many new faces on the team, it was nice to find a few returning Bears in the line-up. The rain made the field too wet so there was only limited practice on the Little League fields behind the Stadium.

I met the new Bear Manager, Coach Rich Lindros. I learned a lot of interesting facts during practice and talked to him more afterwards. He has been involved with baseball his whole life except when he was fighting in Vietnam. He has coached overseas in several places; Japan was one of the places. He also met Willie Mays when he was seven years old; all he remembers from the chat was being told “Listen to your parents.”

I asked him why he wanted to coach the Bears. He replied:

“Young lady, let’s get this straight from the beginning, this is not about me. This is about them becoming the best they can be. I consider it a privilege to help them become fine young men and better ball players.”

Coach Rich said he doesn’t want to share his personal goals for the Bears just yet. He wants the team to focus on other things first, like learning “Practice does not make perfect, it makes permanent.” But a goal later snuck out, “I want to go to the World Series, where is that at again?”

It’s in Wichita, Kansas.

“I have never been there, I am sure it is flat like the rest of Kansas, but still, I would like to go to Wichita,” said Coach Rich.

Hey Coach, I have never been there either.

Click images to see larger versions/slideshow:

There are many more photos and stories at Highline Bears by Isabel.

Game and team information can be found at Highline Bears Baseball.

Thank you for your time and consideration,
Isa “Bear” H.
Official Bear Photographer,
Unofficial Pirate Photographer,
and aspiring photojournalist