TACOMA – For the first time since 2009 when Cedarcrest won the Class 2A state baseball championship, the Red Wolves advanced to the state semifinals with two victories on Sunday.
The Red Wolves defeated Tumwater 6-1 in the first game and later beat Liberty 5-1 in eight innings in the quarterfinals to advance to next Friday’s semis where they will face Fife at 1 p.m. at Yakima County Stadium.
The Red Wolves were able to advance in large part due to their pitching. Sophomore Aaron Davenport pitched a complete game four-hitter in the win over Tumwater and senior Jake Jewell pitched a complete game three-hitter in the quarterfinal win over Liberty.
“They’re really coming on strong and pitching really well at the right time of year,” Cedarcrest head coach Scott Goldsberry said. “They’ve come up huge for us and have been a really great one-two combination.”
Senior catcher Blaine Wagner led the Red Wolves’ offensive attack against Liberty, finishing a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate.
“He’s a such an amazing kid,” Goldsberry said. “He’s a four-year varsity starter for me. He’s probably the best catcher I’ve ever had at Cedarcrest. He started off the year real cold. He couldn’t seem to hit anything at all and he’s come on real hot at the end of the year.
Cedarcrest had scored three runs in the top of the eighth inning against Liberty before the game was paused due to a rain delay. When the game resumed, senior Ryan Tracy hit an RBI single to put the Red Wolves up 5-1.
“It got kind of weird,” Goldsberry said. “We had just taken the lead so there was a lot of excitement in our dugout. We put a little distance between us and them, but the kids did a real good job of staying focused and keeping their eyes on the prize.”
At Franklin Pierce H.S.
Cedarcrest 6, Tumwater 1
WP: Aaron Davenport (7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 3 K, 1 BB). LP: N. Chase. Individual Highlights: Cedarcrest —Blaine Wagner (3-4, 2 R), Jake Jewell (2-3, 2B, RBI), Levi Knott (1-3, 3 RBI). Tumwater—Davis (RBI). Records— Cedarcrest 15-9. Tumwater 12-10.
Cedarcrest 5, Liberty 1 (8)
WP: Jake Jewell (8 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 4 K, 2 BB). LP: A. Morrison. Individual Highlights: Cedarcrest—Cody Banks (2-5, 2 R), Blaine Wagner (3-3, R), Jake Jewell (1-3, 2 RBI), Aaron Davenport (1-3, 2 RBI), Ryan Tracy (2-4, RBI). Liberty— Hasilman (1-4, R), Regis (1-3, RBI). Records—Cedarcrest 16-9. Liberty 13-12.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
