Despite some early-season jitters, the Phoenix baseball team started off the 2018 season on a pair of solid notes.

The Pirates notched a 4-2 win over host Sutherlin on Saturday morning before having a big rally come up just short in a 12-11 loss to Douglas in the afternoon. Both games were played in Sutherlin.

In the opener, PHS used two runs in the sixth inning to break a 2-2 tie. Mason Stella picked up the win in relief of Dylan Knudson. Stella drove in a run and scored the other run in the pivotal sixth inning. Knudson checked the Bulldogs on two hits while striking out five over five innings. Stella struck out four in his two innings of work.

Twelve walks and six errors put the Piratesin an 8-1 hole in the nightcap against Douglas. Phoenix came all the way back, tying the game at 11-11 before the Trojans scored in the bottom of the seventh to win the game. 

Stella had four hits, Knudson and Brennan Watts three while Liam Serean, Nik Goff and Braeden Watts all had two hits. 

The Pirates return to action Friday, hosting Brookings in a doubleheader at Colver Field beginning at 3 pm.