Jackson High head coach Kirk Nicholson’s Timberwolves will play for their second Class 4A state title in six seasons.
But Jackson’s 5-3 win over Redmond in the semifinals at Cheney Stadium on Friday wasn’t pretty.
The Timberwolves managed only one hit and kicked the ball around the yard for five errors, but they’re moving on.
“You can write it any way you want – it’s funny,” Nicholson said. “Because let’s be honest, we didn’t even play very well. ... We were horrible today, and we’re going on to play for the state title now. So, it’s going to be fun tomorrow (Saturday), but I’ll be honest with you – I hope we play better tomorrow.”
Winners of 15 straight, Jackson will face Bothell (22-4) at 7 p.m., 6-0 winners over traditional state power Richland (20-7) in the nightcap.
Bothell starting pitcher Brian McAfee struck out nine in a complete game two-hitter.
Redmond pitcher Dylan Davis, headed to Oregon State, struggled with his command and never found the strike zone. Mustangs head coach Dan Pudwill pulled Davis with two outs in the third inning after four consecutive walks allowed Sam Brown to score, giving Jackson a 2-1 lead.
Davis walked a total of eight batters and also hit a batter in 2 2/3 innings. TJ Whidbey came in to relieve Davis and promptly gave up a base-clearing double down the third base line by Conor Plaisance, scoring three and putting Jackson up comfortably, 5-1, after three innings.
The Mustangs (20-8) finally rallied for a couple runs in the top of the seventh, including a towering home run to right field by Oregon State-bound shortstop Matt Conforto that landed in the scotch broom on Foss High’s hillside. But Jackson (24-2) pitcher Nick Kiel, who scattered four hits in a complete-game performance.
In Class 3A state finals, Mount Si (21-3) will meet Shorewood (23-2) today at 4 p.m., with both teams playing for a chance to take home their first state baseball title.
The Thunderbirds advanced to the title game behind another strong pitching performance from ace Blake Snell, who struck out 11 in a 2-1, complete-game win over Camas, handing the Papermakers (25-1) their first loss of the year.
Shorewood first baseman Trevor Mitsui provided all the offense the Thunderbirds needed, going 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs.
The second game came down to the wire as well, with Mount Si needing a dramatic play to seal a 3-2 win over Kamiakin (22-6).
With one out and the Wildcats clinging to a one-run lead in the bottom of the seventh, Kamiakin first baseman Jonny Allen singled, took second base on a sacrifice bunt by catcher Joey Flores and advanced to third on wild pitch by Mount Si’s Trevor Lane.
The Braves’ Joey Jansen launched a fly ball to Mount Si left fielder Daniel Besmer, who caught it cleanly and gunned home a perfect throw to catcher Robb Lane. Allen tagged up, and the all-state defensive end for Kamiakin did what comes natural, crashing into Lane who came up the line to meet the throw.
Lane dropped the ball, but Allen was ruled out by the home-plate umpire for running over the catcher, which is not allowed in high school baseball, for the final out of the game.
Lane barked at Allen at home plate, and the two teams got chirpy and had to be separated after the bang-bang play to end the game.
Allen got an automatic ejection and cannot play in today’s consolation game against Bothell. Allen’s teammate, Rowdy Grayson, also was ejected and cannot play today because of an obscene gesture directed at the umpire.
“When you have a bunch of seniors on your team, and your guys are all working their entire lives up until this point to win a state championship, it gets heated,” Robb Lane said. “So I can’t blame him for getting heated. I just wish he wouldn’t have tried to bull me over.”
Shortstop Tim Proudfoot accounted for all three runs for Mount Si, including a two-run home run in the top of the first inning with Robb Lane on second base. Proudfoot finished 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs and two runs scored.
“Right when I hit it I threw my fist up in the air,” Proudfoot said about his home run. “I knew it was gone.”
Eric.williams@thenewstribune.com
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