3A district baseball tournament: three teams that can challenge Decatur
The 3A District 3 baseball tournament is here. Here are four teams I think can win it, plus a dark horse candidate.
The first round of the tournament begins on Tuesday, May 12. The quarterfinals are Wednesday, May 13. The semifinals and championship game will be held on Saturday, May 16 at Auburn High School.
Decatur (18-2)
The Gators are the favorite, with their only two losses this season coming to 4A Kentridge and 4A Tahoma, which is the No. 1 seed in the 4A District 3/4 tournament next week. Otherwise, Decatur has been flawless, tearing through its schedule. Nate Gilmore (.476, two home runs, nine doubles) and Ethan Flavel (.442, five home runs, triple, three doubles) have been mashing baseballs all spring.
Gig Harbor (15-8)
I think Gig Harbor should’ve been the No. 2 seed on the top of the bracket after beating Peninsula in the 3A PSL championship game last week at Lincoln. It feels like the Tides are peaking at the right time. Consistent hitting remains the question mark, but pitchers Quentin Bockhorn, Jake Cuda and emerging sophomore arm Max Bergford will have the Tides in every game.
Kentlake (16-4)
The Falcons haven’t lost since early April and have maybe the best brother duo in the state: senior Christopher Moore (.638 batting average, four home runs, three triples, 10 doubles, 36 RBI; 0.66 ERA, 59 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched) and Lincoln Moore (.377, three triples, nine doubles, 19 RBI).
Peninsula (16-5)
The Seahawks will be eager to reverse a short skid (losses to Kelso, Gig Harbor) when the district tournament begins. Peninsula is a well-rounded group with a good lineup. Junior catcher, leadoff hitter Pete Browand, a Fresno State commit, is as tough an out as they come. He’s hitting a team-high .443 with three home runs, three triples, five doubles and 25 RBI.
DARK HORSE
Don’t count out North Thurston (16-5). The Rams are one of the area’s hottest teams, winners of 12 straight after a shaky start.
TNT CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION
Decatur over Peninsula
