The North Medford Mavericks scored the last seven runs of the first game and the first five of the second en route to a rare doubleheader sweep of the Ashland Pilots Sunday at North Medford High School.

Cody James and Michael Paxton came through with key hits in the opener, a 7-4 North Medford win, and Will Albright earned the complete-game victory, 8-5, in Game 2 as the Mavericks (24-11, 17-9 Area 4 south) became the first team this year to take two straight from Ashland (21-4, 14-4).

"I don't know if it was because it was a long weekend, but I think everybody may have been a step behind," Ashland coach Josh Leedy said. "But you can't use that as a scapegoat."

Ashland pitcher Ethan Schlecht was tagged with the loss in the first game despite taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning, when North scored four runs on five hits to tie the game. The Mavericks tacked on three more runs in the sixth, rallying behind a bunt hit by Phillip Javanovic and an RBI single by Paxton.

Schlecht allowed five earned runs on seven hits in 52/3 innings. He struck out two and walked two while falling to 3-1.

North starter Shaun Whitehead (4-0) gave up three runs on five hits and struck out two to pick up the win.

"(Schlecht) pitched well enough to win," Leedy said. "He got a little tired in the end I think, and I think the errors were kind of frustrating to everybody. He only walked two guys and gave up five earned runs. With our offense you'd think that would be enough to win."

A double by Nick Hall and RBI single by Luke Baldrica helped Ashland take a 3-0 lead in the second. Hall was 2-for-4 with a run scored and Billy Hansen was 2-for-3 with his first home run of the season.

In the second game, North jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead then held off a late Pilots' comeback attempt to complete the sweep.

Down 8-1 heading into the seventh, Ashland scored five runs and brought the tying run to the plate before finally bowing out on AJ Adams' hard grounder to second.

"You can't have all your hurrahs in one inning," Leedy said. "You've got to put pressure on them the whole time. We didn't really have that killer instinct at the plate in that second game."

Albright struck out five without a walk and did not allow an extra-base hit to improve to 4-1. Hansen, also 4-1, started for Ashland and allowed four earned runs on five hits in four innings of work. He walked four and hit three batters.

Ashland's offense was led by Baldrica, who went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Lucas Stone and Brady Thomas both went 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Ashland travels to face Eagle Point on Tuesday in the first of three doubleheaders in three days for the Pilots. They'll host Crater on Wednseday then head to Grants Pass to face the Diggers on Thursday.

Those six games will play a major role in determining Ashland's seeding in the state tournament, Aug. 24-28 at North Medford High.

"I think we could have something figured out by the end of the week," Leedy said, "but we have to take care of each game first."

FIRST GAME

Ashland 012 100 0 — 4 5 1

North Medford 000 043 x — 7 8 1

Schlecht, Anderson (6) and Hegdahl; Whitehead and Pine. W — Whitehead (4-0). L — Schlecht (3-1). 2B — A: Hall; NM: Whitehead. HR — A: Hansen (1).

SECOND GAME

Ashland 001 000 4 — 5 10 2

North Medford 410 030 x — 8 6 5

Hansen, Cecil (5) and Adams; Albright and Pine. W — Albright (4-1). L — Hansen (4-1). 3B — NM: Anderson, Paxton.

Sports editor Joe Zavala can be reached at 482-3456 x 224 or joe.zavala@dailytidings.com