Royals knock off Knights
Published 9:53 pm Wednesday, April 22, 2009
LYNNWOOD — When a baseball team commits five errors in a game, it rarely wins. But if the squad also cranks six doubles and has a resilient pitcher on the mound, victory is possible.
The Lynnwood Royals are living proof.
Continuing its remarkable turnaround season, the Lynnwood High School baseball team rallied from a 5-2 deficit and topped the Kamiak Knights 8-6 Wednesday in a Western Conference South Division game.
Aided by an error, Kamiak scored a run in the sixth inning and tied it at 6-6. But Lynnwood responded with two runs in its half of the sixth and pitcher Jason Lotzer tossed a 1-2-3 seventh inning to end it.
Lynnwood, which entered the game tied for second in the Western Conference South Division, improved its league record to 9-4 (10-5 overall). The Royals — who went 7-16 last season, 5-16 in 2007 and 2-21 in 2006 — are trying to earn the top Wesco seed for next month’s Class 3A District 1 playoffs.
“That was one of our goals at the beginning of the year,” Lynnwood coach Reggie Corns said. Meadowdale (5-8) is Lynnwood’s closest 3A pursuer.
“That’s one of our goals,” Lynnwood center fielder Karl Rodriguez said, “but our (main) goal is state. We’re working hard and I know we can do it.”
Rodriguez was 2-for-3 with two of his team’s six doubles and three runs scored. He reached base in all four at-bats, stole a base and made a running catch in the third inning that prevented at least one run from scoring.
Kamiak (7-6 Wesco South) built a 5-2 lead after scoring three times in the third inning and once in the fourth. Two Lynnwood errors helped the Knights tally their fifth run.
Instead of pointing fingers, Lynnwood attacked the ball. Kyle Hoerner, Rodriguez, Mike Stanley and Steve Llewellyn hit doubles during Lynnwood’s four-run fifth inning. The hard-hitting Royals took their first lead of the game.
“Even when we were down, I knew we would come back,” Rodriguez said. “I had faith in my team.”
Stanley drove in three runs for Lynnwood. Hoerner doubled twice and scored twice.
In the sixth, after Kamiak tied it, Ryan Desimone’s single drove in Rodriguez for what turned out to be the winning run. It was the latest example of Lynnwood’s new attitude.
“That’s been a big difference with the team all year,” Lynnwood coach Reggie Corns said. “They believe they should win, as opposed to just hoping that they’re going to do something.”
On the mound, Lotzer threw a complete game for the Royals. He allowed seven hits and walked three but also had six strikeouts. “He kept his composure and took care of his business,” said Corns.
How much has Lynnwood improved since last season? “Light years,” Kamiak coach Steve Merkley said. “Reggie’s done a good job. He stuck with it.”
Kamiak, in the running for a 4A district tournament berth, plays host to Lynnwood Friday in the finale of a two-game series.
Kamiak’s hitting leaders were Jared Houghtaling (two RBI) and Jake Sortor (two singles). Relief pitcher Sam Ewer took the loss. He stepped in for starter Chris Guinn, who pitched only one inning because of tightness in his throwing arm.
At Lynnwood H.S.
Kamiak1031010—671
Lynnwood101042x—885
Guinn, Ewer (2), Smith (5) and Houghtaling. Lotzer and Smith. WP-Lotzer (4-1). LP-Ewer (0-2). 2B-Hoerner (L) 2, Rodriguez (L) 2, Stanley (L), Llewellyn (L). Records-Kamiak 7-6 in division, 8-6 overall. Lynnwood 9-4, 10-5.
Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/heraldnet/doubleteam.
