MOUNT VERNON – “Two outs … so what!”
That four-word phrase, made popular by the clutch hitting of the 2001 Seattle Mariners, could be making its return to Safeco Field next weekend thanks to the timely hitting of the Meadowdale Mavericks.
Playing two games in one day, Meadowdale scored seven of its eight runs with two outs and used two solid pitching performances to advance to the 3A state baseball semifinals held next Friday at Safeco Field.
“It’s a dream come true,” Meadowdale head coach Bill Hummel said. “It’s a once in a lifetime experience (playing for a state title) and playing at Safeco Field is also a once in a lifetime experience.”
The only other time the Mavericks reached the state semifinals was in 1991 when they won the state title.
Meadowdale (14-11) defeated Seattle Prep 5-0 in its first-round game Saturday morning and followed it up with a 3-0 win over Franklin-Pierce. It was the Mavs fifth straight win – all on Sherman Anderson Field in Mount Vernon.
The Mavericks won all three of their 3A District tournament games and Saturday’s two 3A state tournament games on Sherman Anderson Field.
“I want to play every game here,” Hummel said after the Mavericks second win.
Ricky Denham pitched a gem in the first game, allowing only one hit and striking out 11.
“Ricky was fantastic, like he’s been all year long,” Hummel said.
The University of Washington recruit was perfect for four innings and had a no-hitter through six before Seattle Prep’s Anthony Drobnick singled on a 0-2 count to center leading off the seventh inning.
“I knew it was there,” Denham said of the no-hitter, “but you don’t focus on it.”
The right-hander mowed through a potent Panther lineup using a dazzling array of fastballs, changeups and curves.
In the second game, sophomore Chase Anselment came through for the Mavs, finishing 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI.
It was Anselment’s two-out, two-run double to left-center field in the fifth that provided the Mavericks extra breathing room they desperately wanted.
“Two-out RBIs get you to heaven,” Hummel said.
Anselment also finished off the Mavericks victory by striking out four in two innings to earn the save.
“The pitchers stepped up,” Anselment said. “We’ve improved so much since the beginning of the season. We’re doing everything right.”
Matt Gorman got the nod in the second game. And though he struggled through the first couple of innings, he was able to get out of every inning unscathed thanks in part to some terrific defensive plays.
In the first game, the Mavericks got to Drobnick and the Panthers (20-4) in the third when Teagan Dooley reached on an error by Prep shortstop Dan Kelley.
Dooley would steal second and second baseman Taylor Brennan would move him over to third with a deep fly out to right field.
Shortstop Bryan Hogue (2-for-3 with two runs scored) would follow Brennan with a two-out single to right and the Mavericks got the only run they would need.
Gorman, Anselment and Chris Johnson all followed Hogue with two-out singles extending the Mavs lead to 3-0 lead.
Regional final
At Sherman Anderson Field
Franklin-Pierce0000000-060
Meadowdale000120x-350
Hernandez, Woldseth (5) and Whitehead. Gorman, Anselment (5) and O’Neill. WP-Gorman. LP-Hernandez. SV-Anselment. 2B-Anselment (M) 2. Records-Franklin-Pierce 13-12. Meadowdale 14-11.
Regional semifinal
At Sherman Anderson Field
Seattle Prep0000000-012
Meadowdale003110x-570
Drobnick, Humphrie (6) and Gannett. Denham and O’Neill. WP-Denham (8-2). LP-Drobnick (8-1). Records-Seattle Prep 20-4. Meadowdale 13-11.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
