Starting pitcher Jimmy Pugel gave up three runs on three hits in the first inning against Garfield April 21, and the Ballard baseball team couldn't recover, losing 3-1.

Coach John Lamm said Pugel didn't have his curveball against Garfield and was getting behind in counts. Lamm said he made the decision to put in Charlie Beaudoin before the game got out of hand.

Beaudoin gave the Beavers a chance to comeback, throwing six strikeouts and not allowing a hit, but Ballard couldn't muster the offense.

Emmett Niland was the offensive highlight for Ballard, going two-for-three with a double, a triple and a run scored.

Ballard's last win was April 3 and the team has lost eight in a row to drop to 4-10 overall and 3-9 in the conference with five games remaining.

Ballard will look to end the skid at 3:45 p.m., April 23 at Whitman Middle School against Lake Washington, who beat Ballard 3-1 March 25.