BOYS SOCCER
Grizzlies 4, Tigers 3
Scoring three times within a 17-minute span in the second half, Hoquiam edged Centralia in a non-league opener Tuesday at Sea Breeze Oval.
Naz Mazariegos, who also scored the first Grizzly goal, blasted home a 30-yard shot in the 48th minute to tie the contest at 2-2.
Carlos Juarez gave the Grizzlies the lead five minutes later when he one-timed a shot from inside the box.
Jose Juarez (Carlos’ brother) made it 4-2 in the 65th minute when he collected a pass from Tigre Falla and chipped a shot from outside the box over the on-rushing Centralia goalkeeper.
The insurance goal proved necessary when Centralia scored with about 12 minutes remaining.
Falla also assisted on Mazariegos’ first goal, midway through the first half.
Grizzly coach Fidel Sanchez said his team settled down after what he described as a shaky start — a development he attributed to uncertainty over lineup changes.
“Once we settled the lineup a little bit and the boys were able to recognize their roles a little better, they got better as the first half progressed and we got even better in the second half,” Sanchez said.
He commended Mazariegos for fine play at several positions, from forward to defensive midfielder.
Centralia won the JV game, 5-3.
The Grizzlies travel to Seton Catholic on Thursday.
Wolves 3, Eagles 1
ELMA — Black Hills scored twice in the final eight minutes to spoil Elma’s season opener on Tuesday.
Elma starting center back Doug Wescott went down with a leg injury severe enough to require him being transported from the field in an ambulance.
The game was delayed about 20 minutes while medical personnel attended Wescott but the team was able to stay afloat with the help of a goal from Martin Baltazar, who scored on an individual effort in the 29th minute after beating three defenders.
Elma appeared to be on its way to a tie and a moral victory but Black Hills scored in the 72nd minute when a ball was played into the box. The Wolves added a late insurance goal.
“They’re very talented but overall we played pretty well,” Elma coach Carson Seaberg said. “We’re young and fast and that boded well for us.”
Seaburg also had praise for goalkeeper A.J. Hernandez, who made three one-on-one saves to keep the game tied in the first half and also stopped a penalty kick in the second half.
Elma hosts La Center on Friday.
BASEBALL
Eagles 9, Bulldogs 8
ELMA — Elma’s bats came alive in the fourth inning for a come-from-behind win over North Mason in a non-league contest Tuesday.
The Eagles came away with a season-opening win after finding themselves down 6-2 in the second inning as their pitchers struggled to find the strike zone.
Brody Rustemeyer drove in four runs for Elma.
“We kept hanging in the game and kept coming back and stayed upbeat,” Elma coach Jim Hill said. “It’s a seven-inning game and we kept plugging away.”
The Eagles visit Napavine on Wednesday.
N. Mason 421 100 0 — 8 4 2
Elma 202 500 x — 9 10 2
RBI: Elma — Richardson 3, Rustemeyer 4, French 2. Two hits: Elma — Richardson, Aho, Swint. Triples: Elma — Richardson. Doubles: North Mason — Rightmyer, Wiseman. Elma — French, French.
Winning pitcher — Moore (walked one; struck out none). Losing pitcher — Webber (walked two, struck out none).
SOFTBALL
Eagles 14, Bulldogs 0
ELMA — Elma didn’t have any problems with North Mason’s young roster as the Eagles cruised to a non-league victory on Tuesday.
The Eagles jumped on the Bulldogs early and had already opened up a double-digit lead by the second inning,. Destry Dineen and Quin Mikel combined for a shuout while scattering four hits.
Mikel drove in four runs and Emily Newberry had three RBIs for the Eagles (2-0).
“We hit the ball really well,” Elma coach Roger Elliott said. “They’re just a young team and it’s going to be a really good battle with Ocosta.”
Elma will face the Wildcats, a state 2B semifinalist last year, at home Wednesday.
N. Mason 000 00 — 0 4 0
Elma 580 1x — 14 15 1
Lewis, Drumm (2); Dineen, Mikel (2).
RBI: Elma — Mikel 4, Rambo 2, Velasco 2, Newberry 3, Cain, Thompson, Olson. Three hits: Elma — Mikel. Two hits: Elma — Dineen, Johnston, Newberry, Cain. Triples: Elma — Mikel. Doubles: Elma — Mikel, Cain.
Winning pitcher — Dineen (walked one; struck out two). Losing pitcher — Lewis (walked three; struck out two).
