The rain may have brought an early end to Monday’s varsity baseball game against the visitors from Bishop Blanchet, but it could not dampen the Spartans’ spirits and they proceeded to cruise through to a 2-0 soggy shutout win.

The win at home advanced the Spartans’ regular season record to 9-2 (5-1 in league play), securing for them the top-ranked spot in the Metro Mountain Division.

The BHS team was led by Duncan McCombs on the mound, who, team officials agreed, gave a stellar showing. He faced 22 batters and threw 29 balls and 46 strikes.

“You’ve got to commend a pitcher on a day like this,” Spartan Head Coach Simon Pollack said.

The rain and the mud, he said, made even just handling the ball difficult on the mound Monday.

“Whatever it is, the pitcher’s just kind of got to chin-up and go after it,” Pollack laughed. “And Duncan has looked as good today as he has all season.”

Pollack said that McCombs had especially looked improved in the early innings, which were traditionally a trouble spot for the young athlete.

“He did a great job,” he added.

McCombs said that he was able to focus well despite the poor weather conditions knowing that the team was performing well on the other side of the plate.

“It’s a lot easier to pitch when you have the lead,” he laughed. “The first few innings I was feeling very good, but then it’s really nice to pitch when you know you’ve got an offense behind you.”

The BHS senior said that the entire Spartan roster this season is supportive of each other, and he looks forward to the remainder of the season.

“We’ve got a great team chemistry this year,” he said. “I really love the team. Everybody knows everybody. The mood is very energetic right now.

“We’re looking at every game, ready to stomp on every team, wanting to come out just hitting the ball,” McCombs added. “Right now, especially, after last week and coming into this week, we’re feeling very, very upbeat about it.”

Despite the early ending, several Spartans found time to give standout performances at the plate.

McCombs himself finished the day with three at-bats and two hits.

Blake Swanson had three at-bats, one run and one hit.

Carter Kraus had two at-bats and one hit and Trent Schulte managed one hit for his two at-bats.

Jack O’Neill and Truman Miller each had one trip to the plate, and Max Thomas and Brice Kozlosky each made two trips.

David Wellbrock went to the plate twice and had one hit.

Evan Ferguson brought home one run as well.

Pollack commended the entire team — and especially the senior members of the squad — for the improved focus and communication he saw on the field. It came after a discussion after previous games of a “break down” in focus coming from the dugout.

“I think the guys are on an emotional roll at this point in time,” he said. “I think they’re starting to focus up and feel like they’re having a fun time out there playing baseball.”

Monday’s win was the perfect start to a pivotal week of Spartan baseball, Pollack added.

“This is the start of the third-to-last-week and we have eight games left, all against very good teams,” he said. “It’s coming down to it for these guys, especially since our next three games are away so we get a bunch of home games at the end of the season.”

With all that’s coming down the pike, what is Pollack’s biggest concern moving forward?

“I would say just overall our health,” he laughed. “So much of high school is determined by the health of your pitchers and your catchers and making sure that they stay focused and well-hydrated and that their arms aren’t sore.”

The team next traveled to face off against Metro newcomers Ballard High Wednesday, a team which Pollack explained was a bit of a wild card on the schedule.

“Ballard’s a good team,” Pollack said. “It kind of depends on what starting pitcher you get, really, but Ballard is a good team.

“Coming from 4A they have a good strong tradition of baseball over there on the north side of Seattle,” he added.

Following the Ballard battle, the Spartans were slated to travel to play against O’Dea on Thursday and then Lakeside on Friday.

“This week will really test the focus and ability of these players,” Pollack said.