Beamer baseball rolling behind Bower
DOUG PACEY
Matt Bower won’t back down from a challenge.
The Beamer High pitcher excels when he faces obstacles head-on.
“I want to attack batters,” the senior said. “When I pitch around them, that’s when I struggle.”
Bower hasn’t struggled lately.
He has been nearly unhittable in the postseason. In 19 innings, he has allowed one earned run, struck out 21 and walked two. He’ll get a chance to continue that dominance in the Class 4A baseball state semifinals today at Gesa Stadium in Pasco.
The lanky left-hander – Bower is 6-foot-5 and 185 pounds – will start Beamer’s first semifinal game in school history against Kentwood at 7 p.m. In the other semifinal, Puyallup meets Richland at 4 p.m.
“We’re excited,” Bower said. “In the beginning of the season, I thought in the back of my mind that we had a great shot at having a great season.”
Bower’s premonition has proved correct.
Not only have the Titans advanced to the semifinals, but this season also marked the first time Beamer qualified for the state playoffs.
Bower’s left arm has played a big role.
In the first round of the state playoffs, he fired a complete game, four-hit shutout, striking out 11 in the Titans’ 4-0 win over Jackson at Heidelberg Park.
Beamer coach Jerry Peterson said Bower mixed his pitches well and challenged hitters. Most important, his command was precise.
“He can locate his fastball,” Peterson said. “He’s got confidence doing that.”
Bower will play at Washington State University. Peterson expects his ace to only get better in time.
“He’s got a lot of room to fill out and a lot of upside,” Peterson said. “He still hasn’t completely developed a change-up yet. When he does that, he’ll be unbelievable.”
Bower has never faced Kentwood, but he’s familiar with some of the Conquerors players.
“They’ve got a bunch of good guys,” Bower said. “During summers, I’ve played against a good majority of them.”
Beamer reaches the semifinals on a hot streak, winning eight of its past nine games.
“Since about the middle of the season we’ve been playing very well,” Peterson said. “The guys have played well and played loose.”
BASEBALL STATE PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE
Class 4A
At Gesa Stadium, Pasco
Schedule: Today – Richland vs. Puyallup, 4 p.m.; Beamer vs. Kentwood, 7 p.m. Saturday – 3rd-place game, 1 p.m.; final, 7 p.m.
Class 3A
At Gesa Stadium, Pasco
Schedule: Today – Kamiakin vs. Bishop Blanchet, 10 a.m.; Kelso vs. Eastside Catholic, 1 p.m. Saturday – third-place game, 10 a.m.; final, 4 p.m.
Class 2A
At County Stadium, Yakima
Schedule: Today – Yakima East Valley vs. Archbishop Murphy, 4 p.m.; Sumner vs. Lynden, 7 p.m. Saturday – third-place game, 1 p.m.; final, 7 p.m.
Class 1A
At County Stadium, Yakima
Schedule: Today – Cashmere vs. Kalama, 10 a.m.; Naches Valley vs. Meridian, 1 p.m. Saturday – third-place game, 10 a.m.; final, 4 p.m.
Class 2B
At Rotary Field, Ellensburg
Schedule: Today – DeSales vs.Mossyrock, 1 p.m.; Asotin vs. Toutle Lake, 4 p.m.; Saturday – third-place game, 10 a.m.; final, 1 p.m.
Class 1B
At Rotary Field, Ellensburg
Schedule: Saturday – Final, Colton vs. Almira/Coulee-Hartline, 4 p.m.
doug.pacey@thenewstribune.com 253-597-8271
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