By Trevor Williams
For the Kent Reporter
Baseball fans from Kent were left with a sour taste in their mouths following Friday’s state Class 4A semifinal action in Pasco.
Kentwood, the defending state champion, and Kentridge suffered losses in final four action at GESA Stadium and will meet at 1 p.m. today for third place in the state tournament.
For Kentwood and Kentridge – rivals from the South Puget Sound League North 4A – the game will be about redemption and forgetting about Friday’s tough losses.
“Thank goodness we have a game (Saturday),” said Kentridge coach John Flanigan. “We’d hate to end our season this way.”
Flanigan was referring to the Chargers’ 10-0 semifinal loss to Skyview. The Storm took advantage of four Kentridge errors.
“We’ve had a great season to this point. We picked a bad time to play our worst game of the season and we played one of the best teams in the state. They made us pay for it,” Flanigan said.
Kentridge was no-hit through 3 2/3 thirds innings and surrendered seven runs in the fifth, imposing the 10-run mercy rule.
After the game, Flanigan was looking ahead to his team’s next opponent, Kentwood.
“We are going to go out and play against kids these guys have known for their whole lives and play in this atmosphere. It’s going to be outstanding.”
Kentwood, like Kentridge, was also plagued by errors and miscues in its 1-0 semifinal loss to South Kitsap.
Michael Wood, locked in a pitching duel with freshman starter Jordan Jones, found support in Cody Wolfe ‘s fourth-inning sacrifice fly and hung on for a heart-pounding win. Wolfe’s sacrifice was set up after an error at second base.
Kentwood had some promising opportunities to score throughout their game but could never get to Wood. Their best chance at a run came in the fifth inning when Kramer Sims and Mike Ciancio singled to reach base. Reese McGuire then walked. However, Kentwood left the bases loaded after striking out.
“Today really showed our young guys that we belong here and that has them excited about next year,” said Kentwood coach Mark Zender. “Though disappointed in the outcome, we are very proud of our season.
“The game Saturday against Kentridge is an opportunity to finish strong, honor our seniors and begin the transition toward next year.”
Notes
Kentwood and Kentridge met twice in regular-season play this year. Kentwood won both games, 2-1 and 6-3. … Skyview and South Kitsap play at 7 p.m. today for the title.
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