Cascade tops Monroe in battle of top Wesco 4A baseball teams

Brock Gillis recovers from a scare on a comebacker and tosses 6 strong innings to lead the Bruins to a 5-1 win.

Cascade’s Brock Gillis throws out Monroe’s Andrew Haight at first base during a game on April 17, 2018, in Monroe. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Cascade’s Brock Gillis throws out Monroe’s Andrew Haight at first base during a game on April 17, 2018, in Monroe. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

MONROE — Even after being drilled in the back by a line-drive comebacker, Brock Gillis never lost his groove.

In fact, the Cascade sophomore pitcher insisted it helped him zero in even more.

Gillis pitched six innings of one-hit ball, leading the visiting Bruins to a 5-1 win over Monroe in the opener of a two-game Wesco 4A series Tuesday afternoon.

“After that, I felt even a little more focused,” Gillis said of the blistering, third-inning line drive that deflected off his lower back for the Bearcats’ lone hit of the game.

The initial pain left Gillis on the ground for several moments as he was tended to by Cascade coaches.

“It didn’t feel very good,” he said. “It was a stinging pain, right in the muscle.”

But after a warm-up pitch or two, Gillis shook it off and didn’t allow a hit the rest of the way. The right-hander surrendered only one run while recording five strikeouts and five walks in the cold, windy weather.

“Even (after) getting hit, he stayed competitive and figured out a way to grind through,” Bruins coach David Benson said. “He pounded the zone, commanded with both pitches, did a good job with the run game and just constantly worked ahead (and) attacked batters.

“He did a great job. Everything that we could’ve asked for.”

Cascade (9-2 overall, 5-1 Wesco 4A) broke a 1-1 tie with four runs in the top of the sixth inning, keyed by a string of four consecutive singles.

Ben Hansen kick-started the inning by reaching on a one-out error and Sam Barnes followed with a base hit. Carson Metcalfe then drove a go-ahead single into the left-center field gap to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead.

Then after a Dakota Talt single to load the bases, Jayden Talt ripped a run-scoring base hit into right field to make it 3-1. Cascade then pushed across two more runs for a 5-1 cushion.

“We were hitting balls hard all day. (They) just kind of weren’t falling,” Benson said. “But that inning we broke it open. … We were staying super aggressive in the zone. We were able to put some good swings on balls.”

With the victory, Cascade remained in sole possession of first place in Wesco 4A. The Bruins already have won three more games than they did all of last season.

“It just feels a lot better than last year,” Gillis said. “I think our team is so much stronger. … Our pitchers can carve and keep (opponents) from scoring, and our lineup is pretty solid throughout.”

Monroe (8-5, 4-3) scored its lone run in the third inning after Andrew Haight reached on the line drive off Gillis’ back. Haight came around to score on a Kegan Velie squeeze bunt for a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the fifth, Cascade senior Nicholas Klemp reached on an infield single for his third hit of the day. Courtesy runner Brody Larsen then stole second, took third on a wild pitch and scored on a two-out balk to tie the game at 1-1.

Monroe starter Ryan Lynch pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing no earned runs and six hits.

But the Bearcats’ bullpen crumbled in the sixth inning, and their bats were cold all afternoon against Gillis.

“Gillis is a really good pitcher,” Monroe coach Eric Chartrand said. “He was just better than us today.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

X
Prep roundup for Monday, March 18

Prep roundup for Monday, March 18: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.