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Lake Roosevelt opened with a tough doubleheader loss to the Okanogan Bulldogs last Saturday in Okanogan.

An inability to close out innings hurt the Raiders.

“In game one, we gave up five runs (3,2) after committing an error that would have closed out the innings,” Coach Ted Piccolo noted.

After the LR 8-4 loss in the first game, the Bulldogs played better defense in the second, allowing the Raiders to only score two runs to their seven.

The coach noted that Tim Loch “performed very well in his first games as the number-one catcher, and then provided three strong innings in relief pitching.”

In his high school varsity debut, freshman Bubba Garcia’s left field defense and plate performance impressed Piccolo. Garcia laid down a bunt to bring in Devan Black from third and then, “Garcia’s bunt not only scored the run but his hustle also got him to second while taking advantage of an error,” noted Piccolo, adding that he expects Garcia to keep up the good work.

Even though LR came away with a loss, Piccolo says, “Overall, I am pleased with the performance of the team; even with a lot of new players, they moved well.”

The Raiders will look to rebound with three games this week against Central Washington North opponents. Last night the Raiders took on the Manson Trojans at Greene Field for the CWL season opener. On Saturday, the Raiders take on the Hornets in Oroville in a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m.