Snohomish beats C. Kitsap to advance to state semis

Published 11:26 pm Saturday, May 17, 2008

EVERETT — Last year Bubba Robbins could only imagine what it was like to play at Safeco Field. Next week he’ll finally get to experience it first-hand.

Robbins, the Snohomish High School baseball team’s leadoff hitter, drilled a three-run home run in the second inning and helped lift the Panthers to a 9-2 victory over Central Kitsap Saturday during the Class 4A Region 1 Tournament at Everett Memorial Stadium.

Pitcher Aaron West tossed a complete-game six hitter for Snohomish (21-5), which beat Puyallup earlier in the day before knocking out Central Kitsap (20-7) and earning a spot in the state semifinals.

Snohomish will play Olympia Friday night at 7 p.m. in the 4A semifinals at Safeco.

Last year the Panthers also got to the Seattle Mariners’ ballpark, where they eventually lost to Richland in the championship. But Robbins didn’t play because he missed the entire season after breaking his left elbow in a motorcycle accident.

“I wanted to play at Safeco because the guys told me it was really fun there so I had to give it all I got,” said Robbins, who hit the homer and a triple, drove in four runs and scored three times.

Robbins said he battled pain after a previous knee injury flared up during the game. Meanwhile, West (6-0) threw his first seven-inning complete game of the season. On easily the hottest day of the spring, West said he ended the game lighter than when the day began.

“I’ve definitely lost a little bit of weight today — really sweaty,” said West, a senior right-hander who was invited to walk on at the University of Washington.

West allowed just one earned run, struck out four and didn’t allow a walk. Combined with Derek Jones’ complete-game victory against Puyallup, Snohomish didn’t use a relief pitcher all day.

And Snohomish’s offense clicked all day. The Panthers piled up 18 runs and 27 hits (nine for extra bases) in the two loser-out games.

“We’re happy as a bunch of clams. We’re excited to go back (to Safeco),” Snohomish coach Kim Hammons said.

Earlier in the day, Jones fueled Snohomish’s 9-3 first-round victory against Puyallup (18-5). He hit two home runs — a solo shot in the first inning and a two-run blast in the fifth inning — and finished 3-for-3 with four RBI.

Jones said he has hit six homers over the past two seasons in games at Everett Memorial.

“There’s something about this whole atmosphere — all the seats and the big crowd. In big-time games you’ve got to step up,” said Jones.

Jones earned the pitching victory against Puyallup, throwing all seven innings and improving his record to 6-2. He threw a season-high 111 pitches, Hammons said. The coach said he considered putting in a reliever, but in the end he stuck with the left-hander.

“You kind of saddle him up and ride that horse,” Hammons said.

Jones’ strong all-around performance was no surprise to Puyallup coach Marc Wiese.

“We knew he was their guy. We knew he could really swing the bat,” Wiese said.

Jones also aided Snohomish’s cause by picking off two Puyallup runners at first base. And Puyallup hurt itself by committing four errors.

Snohomish’s other offensive stars in the first-round victory were Travis Cuykendall (three singles), Brian Wolfe (two RBI) and Robbins (one double, three runs scored).

Against Central Kitsap, Braden Allen (three hits, one double) was one of four Snohomish players with at least two hits.

At Everett Memorial Stadium

Regional final

Snohomish2310021—9112

Central Kitsap0000110—262

West and Chandler. Roberts, A. Hewey (1), Vettleson (4), McDonald (6) and Adams. WP-West (6-0). LP-Roberts (2-3). 2B-Hargrave (S) 1, Cuykendall (S) 1, Allen (S) 1, Vettleson (CK) 1, Brown (CK) 1, McDonald (CK) 1. 3B-Robbins (S) 1, Brown (CK) 1. HR-Robbins (S) 1. Records-Snohomish 21-5. Central Kitsap 20-7.

First-round regional

Snohomish1310202—9162

Puyallup0030000—384

Jones and Chandler. Cimber, Ruff (5) and Ausbun. WP-Jones (6-2). LP-Cimber (7-2). 2B-Robbins (S) 1, Allen (S) 1. 3B-Barry (P) 1. HR-Jones (S) 2. Records-Snohomish 20-5. Puyallup 18-5.

Central Kitsap 11, Mountlake Terrace 5: At Everett, After leading 4-1 through three innings, Terrace was outscored 10-1 in the loser-out game against Central Kitsap. Terrace, the District 1 champion, had won eight consecutive games and was trying to win a state-tourney game for the first time in team history.

But Terrace (17-7) helped Central Kitsap (20-6) by committing five errors and making several baserunning blunders.

“Too many mistakes,” Terrace coach Andrew Watters said. “I tip my hat to Central Kitsap. They put the ball in play and they put pressure on us. They’re a very good club.”

Caleb Brown, a University of Washington recruit, drove in two runs and scored twice for Central Kitsap, which advanced to play Snohomish in the regional final.

The defeat stung but Terrace had a fine season, said Watters: “We’re going to be very proud of what we’ve done, and winning the district title and winning our division. Those are all things we’ll look back at and be proud of.”

Terrace tallied 14 hits and stranded nine runners in the loss. Garrett Totten was 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBI. Ryan Sells had a double and two singles.

At Everett Memorial Stadium

Regional final

C. Kitsap1005005—1183

M. Terrace1210010—5145

Bohlmann and Adams. Theis, Baehm (7) and Clingan. WP-Bohlmann (9-2). LP-Theis (7-2). 2B-Shafer (MT) 1, R. Sells (MT) 1, Strieby (MT) 1. HR-Totten (MT) 1. Records-Central Kitsap 20-6. Mountlake Terrace 17-7.