Elma ended its league schedule in fine fashion with a 9-8 walk-off win over Tenino on Friday in Montesano.
The Eagles (13-7 overall, 7-5 1A Evergreen) won their fifth-straight game after third baseman Gibson Cain singled to drive in TJ Dunlap in the bottom of the seventh, capping a five-run frame to complete a rousing come-from-behind victory in the league finale.
Elma scored twice in the bottom of the third – tallying a run on a Cain single followed by an unearned run on a Tenino error – to grab a 2-0 lead.
RYAN SPARKS | THE DAILY WORLD Elma’s Gibson Cain had three hits, including a walk-off single, to lead the Eagles to a 9-8 win over Tenino on Friday in Montesano.
Elma starter Cameron Green held the Beavers (16-4, 9-3) scoreless through the first four frames but ran into trouble in the top of the fifth. With two out and two on, Tenino’s Cody Strawn singled in a run followed by a three-run home run off the bat of Kellan Knox to give the Beavers a 4-2 lead.
An Austin Gonia single later chased Green from the bump, with reliever Andrew Sanders striking out Easton Snider to end the top of the fifth.
Tenino had more two-out magic in store in the sixth, taking an 8-2 lead after a Strawn three-run double followed by a run on a wild pitch.
Elma responded with a pair of two-out runs on a Grant Vessey double to left.
In the Eagles half of the seventh, Cain led off with a walk followed later by a Blake Corr one-out single.
Jack Alexander drove in Cain with a single and was followed by Eastin Wright, who doubled to drive in two runs, putting Elma down one run at 8-7 and represent the tying run.
Carter Studer then grounded out to pitcher Michael Vassar, advancing Wright to third.
TJ Dunlap walked and with two outs and Vessey at the plate, Wright scampered home on a wild pitch to tie the game at 8-all.
Ethan Camus walked to load the bases, setting up Cain, who sent Vassar’s full-count pitch through the left side to score Dunlap and end the game.
“It was a great win heading into districts for us, capping a five-game win streak in five days to end our regular season,” Elma head coach Travis Vessey said. “Most of these guys were part of the run we made last year and know anything can happen once we make the playoffs. The coaches always believed in their ability, but with their mindset locked in, it’s going to be fun to watch.”
The game was moved in the 11th hour to Montesano due to the wet weather on Friday, a move Coach Vessey was appreciative of.
“Hats off to (Montesano) head coach Osgood for working his tail off on the field so we could make the game change to Monte and get this game in,” he said.
Elma will enter the postseason as the 1A Evergreen League’s No. 3 seed and will face Seton Catholic at 4 p.m. on Monday in a 1A District 4 Tournament game at Castle Rock High School.
Tenino 000 044 0 – 8 8 2
Elma 002 002 5 – 9 8 1
WP: Corr (1.1 IP, 0 R, H, BB). LP: Vassar (6.2 IP, 9 R, 7 ER, 8 H, 10 BB, 4 K).
Leading hitters: Tenino – Strawn (2-4, 2B, 2 R, 4 RBI); Hart (2-3, 2B, 2 R); Knox (1-1, R, HR, 3 RBI); Gonia (1-4); Snider (1-4); Burkhart (1-3, 2 R). Elma – Cain (3-4, R, 2 RBI); Vessey (1-3, R, 2B, 2 RBI); Corr (1-4, R); Wright (1-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI); Studer (1-2, R); Alexander (1-2, R, 2 RBI).
Eatonville 3, Hoquiam 2
Errors turned out to be the difference in Hoquiam’s season-ending 3-2 loss to Eatonville on Wednesday.
The Grizzlies (3-14, 1-11 1A Evergreen) scored a run in the top of the first on a sharp single by Zander Jump, who stole second and came home on a single off the bat of Dom Standstipher.
Hoquiam saw its lead disappear after errors led to a three-run second inning for the Cruisers (4-13, 2-10).
The Grizzlies scratched across a run in the top of the fifth but came up a run short in suffering the 3-2 loss.
“In the end, Eatonville played flawless defense and we didn’t. We blew some opportunities in the field and on the bases and the loss was disappointing,” Hoquiam head coach Steve Jump said. “Our ultimate goal was to reach the post-season, but we couldn’t have asked for a nicer group of kids. They were always positive and never gave in. It was an absolute joy to coach them.”
The loss spoiled a solid outing from pitcher Jake Templer, who didn’t give up an earned run and surrendered five hits and four walks with six strikeouts in six innings pitched.
The Grizzlies defense committed three errors, leading to three unearned Eatonville runs.
Jump and Standstipher led Hoquiam’s offense with two hits apiece.
Coach Jump took the time to acknowledge his outgoing seniors for their commitment to the program.
“The coaches would like to thank seniors Mick Bozich, Todd Mefford and Jake Templer for their dedication to the Grizzly Baseball Club and Hoquiam baseball. They are quality young men and their parents should be commended for raising such wonderful people.”
Hoquiam 100 010 0 – 2 6 3
Eatonville 030 000 x – 3 5 0
WP: n/a. LP: Templer (6 IP, 3 R, 0 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 6 K).
Leading hitters: Hoquiam – Jump (2-2); Standstipher (2-3, RBI); M. Bozich (2-3).
Other scores
Napavine 13, Ocosta 3 (Saturday)
Kalama 5, Raymond-South Bend 1 (Saturday)
Adna 8, Pe Ell-Willapa Valley 1 (Saturday)
