A’s split with Milton-Freewater

ELECTRIC EDISON: The A’s Tyler Edison makes an out at second and turns to first for the double play Monday. - Observer photos/BARRETT HENDERSON

The Subway A’s fought off a terrible start to a doubleheader against Milton-Freewater to salvage a split.

“We made too many mistakes in the first game,” Manger Eric Yundt said. “Our pitcher threw a pretty good game, but we didn’t help him at all.”

Woody Stockhoff did all he could on the mound, but eight errors were too much to overcome during an 11-1 loss in the opening game.

The right-hander allowed a run on a bloop single in the opening inning. Three runs crossed the plate without a hit in the second inning, aided by four errors.

The La Grande offense struggled. Milton-Freewater collected six strikeouts and allowed two hits in the opening four innings.

“We weren’t very disciplined at the plate,” Yundt said. “That’s going to happen with such a young team on the field. It’s the youngest team we’ve put out there this season.”

GIVE THEM THE HEAT: La Grande’s Woody Stockhoff sends a pitch toward a Milton-Freewater batter during the A’s 11-1 opening loss.

La Grande finally got on the board after a Buck Arnoldus double opened the inning, and was chased home with a single.

“You never know what to expect with a group of young kids,” Yundt said. “They came back and battled in the next game. That’s what you want to see as a coach.”

Arnoldus and Tyler Edison helped key a 7-5 comeback win in Game 2.

La Grande fell behind 3-1 after three innings, but outscored Milton-Freewater 6-2 the rest of the way.

Arnoldus chipped in with an RBI triple. Edison went 2 for 2 at the plate and drove in a run.

J.R. Masters picked up the win on the mound.

“It’s really impressive to see how they bounced back,” Yundt said. “Five of the players will be playing in the 15-year-old Babe Ruth tournament this weekend. This should give them a lot of confidence.”

The AAA team will travel to Pendleton tonight for a doubleheader.