Squalicum ace Brad Alvord gave up no earned runs, and the Storm got the bats going early as they earned a 8-2 non-conference season-opening win against La Conner on Saturday, March 9, at Squalicum High School.

Alvord went six innings and gave up five hits. Both of La Conner's fourth-inning runs came off Storm errors. David Stealey finished the game, pitching the seventh innning.

La Conner cut Squalicum's lead to 3-2 in the top of the fourth, but the Storm tacted on three runs in the bottom half of the inning to build a 6-2 lead. Squalicum added two more runs in the fifth to put the game away.

"We just pecked away at them," Squalicum coach John Inge said in a phone interview. "We hit the ball solid and had a lot of good, aggressive base running."

Inge was thrilled with the offensive production, given the Storm hasn't put in much work in the batting cages during the preseason.

"We haven't swung the bat much," the Storm coach said. "We've really concentrated on defense, better base running and the fundamentals. We haven't focused much on hitting."

Squalicum combined for nine hits. Leading the way was Landon Tripp, who went 2 for 2 with two RBI and a double, and Brock Jorgenson, who also went 2 for 2 with a double and three runs scored. The Storm stole five bases.

Kyle Little and Carter Nickelson each had a base hit, scored and drove in a run.

"It was just a good, solid opener," Inge said. "We started five sophomores, and we played well."

Squalicum plays Lynden Christian next at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, at LC.

SQUALICUM 8, LA CONNER 2

La Conner 000 200 0 - 2 5 4

Squalicum 111 320 x - 8 9 2

WP: Brad Alvord (1-0). LP: N/A. Highlights: Squal - Landon Tripp 2-4, R, 2 RBI, 2B,SB; Kyle Little 1-3, 2 R, RBI, 2B SB; Brock Jorgenson 2-2, 3 R, 2B; Carter Nickelson 1-1, R, RBI.