The Tahoma baseball team lost 9-7 in a hitting duel at Auburn Riverside Tuesday.

It was the first South Puget Sound League 4A North Division game of the season for the Bears.

An early highlight of the season for the Bears has been short stop Taylor Smart’s power at the plate. He has crushed four balls over the fence in the past three games including two against Auburn Riverside on Tuesday.

Tahoma went down 3-0 in the first innings against Auburn Riverside and was down 4-0 at the top of the fourth when the boys exploded with six runs.

The Ravens picked up two in the bottom of the fourth to tie it. The teams traded runs in the fifth to tie it at seven.

Auburn Riverside scored two in the bottom of the seventh to close the door.

Smart went 2-4 with three RBIs and a bomb while Ryan Ota hit 2-4 with two RBIs and a double.

Ota was the losing pitcher and Taylor Maples picked up the win for the Ravens.

In the final preseason game, Tahoma beat Curtis 6-5 at home March 18.

Jordan Johansen earned the win for the Bears.

Smart hit two over the fence going 3-3 with four runs, two RBIs and a double.

Brian Olson hit 1-3 with two RBIs and Ota 1-2 with two RBIs.

Tahoma hosted Kentlake on Wednesday and will take on Kentridge on Monday and Kentwood on Tuesday, both games at 4 p.m. at home.

Reach Dennis Box at dbox@maplevalleyreporter.com or 425-432-1209 ext. 5050.

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