Prep baseball
Class 4A state semifinals
At Safeco Field in Seattle. Auburn vs. Kentwood 4 p.m. today; Jackson vs. Tahoma 7 p.m. tonight Winners play for championship 7 p.m. Saturday. Losers play for third place at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Auburn Trojans (23-3)
League: T-1st SPSL North
Head coach: Tim Kuykendall (10th season), SPSL Coach of the Year
Top players: Cameron Christian, Jr. P/OF (9-1, 19 SB); Brian Embery, Sr. utility (.491 BA, Southern Idaho recruit); Kyle Buchanan, So. C (team defensive MVP); Kellen Kiilsgaard, Jr. OF (.385 BA, 22 BB, 4 HR)
State rank: No. 3
State history: 10th appearance, DNP in 2005, 3rd in 1996
Jackson Timberwolves (25-0)
League: Wesco South champions
Head coach: Alan Briggs (1st season)
Top players: Travis Snider, Sr. OF (.526 BA, 43 RBI, 47 R, 11 HR); Cam Nobles, Sr. P (9-0, 85 K, 0.81 ERA); Geoff Brown, Jr. P/OF (9-0, 66 K, 1.15 ERA); Joey Lind, Sr. 1B (.450 BA, 42 RBI, 5 HR)
Rank: No. 1 in state; No. 2 in nation (Baseball America)
State history: 4th appearance; 3rd in 2005
Kentwood Conquerors (19-8)
League: Tie-3rd SPSL North
Head coach: Jon Aarstad (3rd season)
Top players: Cody Bartlett, Sr. SS (.478, 9 HR, 24 SB, SPSL MVP, Washington State recruit); Luke Montzingo, Sr. C (.425, 2 HR, threw out 78 percent of attempted base stealers); Tim Reavis, Sr. Or (.434)
State rank: Not ranked
State history: 8th appearance; DNP in 2005, 2nd in 2004, 1st in 2000
Tahoma Bears (22-3)
League: Tie-1st SPSL North
Head coach: Russ Hayden (14th season)
Top players: David Bentrott, Jr. SS (.458, 5 HR); Kyle Laukala, Sr. OF/P, (.461, 9 HR, closer); James Dean, Sr. OF/P (.576, 4 HR, 3 3B) State rank: No. 3 State history: 13th appearance; 3rd in 2003
Class 2A state semifinals
At Yakima County Stadium. Rochester vs. Ephrata 4 p.m. today; Granite Falls vs. East Valley 7 p.m. tonight. Winners play for championship 4 p.m. Saturday at Yakima County Stadium. Losers play for third place 1 p.m. Saturday at Parker Field in Yakima.
Rochester Warriors (19-5)
League: SW Wash. Evergreen champions
Head coach: Mike Cagle (4th season)
Top players: Justin Eastman, Jr. SS (.434, 6 2B, 15 RBI); Chris Reynoldson, Sr. 3B (.425, 29 RBI, 3 2B); Brian Riffe, Sr. P/OF (1.54 ERA, 78 K, .393, 4 2B)
State rank: No. 5
State history: 15th appearance; 2nd in 2000, 1st in 1993 and 1995 (1A)
Ephrata Tigers (22-3)
League: CWAC North champions
Head coach: Dave Johnson (36th season, retiring)
Top players: Michael Ratigan, Sr. P/SS/1B (9-0, 1.25 ERA, 73 K, .485 BA, 38 RBI, 12 HR, Washington State commit); Reid Forrest, Sr. P/OF (5-1, 2.07 ERA, .472 BA, 27 RBI, 3 3B); Aaron Lutz, Sr. P/1B (7-1, 2.38 ERA); Austin Chamberlin, Jr. 2B (.367 BA, 10 2B)
State rank: No. 3.
State history: 27th appearance; DNP in 2005, 8-time champions
Note: State rankings by classification according to washingtonbaseballpoll.com. State history according to WIAA.com.
Mike Cane, Herald Writer
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
