Pirates down Wellpinit to advance vs. ACH

RITZVILLE–Ollie Severs gave up just one hit and struck out 12, then Trace Roberts slammed the door with an 11-pitch close as the Pirates downed Wellpinit 8-0 in baseball playoffs here Tuesday.

"It was a great win for us today to secure a spot in the state tournament," commented Head Coach Kyler Lovgren. "I thought Trace and Ollie really stepped up and led their team at the plate, on the mound and defensively.

The Pirates were the home team in the contest and started with two runs in the first and second innings, another in the third and then added some insurance in the final innings while blanking the Redskins.

Roberts had three hits, including a home run, to pace the Pirates. Other hitters were Severs with two, Nolan Newberg and Peyton Cannon.

At Liberty Christian, the Patriots jumped on the Pirates with three runs in the first inning then counted seven in the fourth to put the game away in five innings, 11-1.

"We battled for the first few innings," Lovgren said, "but couldn't keep it together in the fourth. Ollie Severs pitched well and Trace Roberts picked up our only hit and stole his way around."

Severs pitched four innings, struck out four, walked five and gave up nine hits. Liberty's pitcher D. Mooney allowed one hit, struck out 13 and walked three.

Pomeroy couldn't get much going against Mooney. Conrad Nelson popped out to short to end the second inning after both Nick Bryson and Gunner Magill went down swinging.

Two Pirates were left on base in the third. Nolan Newberg walked and advanced to second on a passed ball. Merritt Scoggin and Rory McKeirnan both struck out then Severs worked the pitcher and walked. With runners on second and first, Vinny Vecchio went down to end the third.

In the fourth, Roberts reached on an error and loped his way to third on passed balls, scoring on another passed ball. Conrad Nelson walk and advanced to second but Mooney retired the side.

Bottom of the fourth, the Bucs were frustrated as seven runs came across, four with two outs.

Then, Mooney struck out the side, one, two, three to wrap the game on the ten-run rule.

Pomeroy 8, Wellpinit 0 (5-7)

R H E

Wel 000 000 0-0 1 2

Pom 221 021 x-8 7 2

Battery: Wellpinit-Bourgeou and Tonasket. Pomeroy-Severs, Roberts (7) and Nelson, Severs (7).

Hits: Wellpinit-Moyer. Pomeroy-Severs 2, Roberts 3, Newberg, Cannon.

Home runs: Pomeroy-Roberts.

Liberty Christian 11, Pomeroy 1 (5-3)

R H E

Pom 000 10-1 1 2

LC 301 17x-11 9 0

Battery: Pomeroy-Severs and Magill. LC-Mooney and Pottle.

Hits: Pomeroy-Roberts. Liberty Christian-Mooney 2, Butcher 3, Branning, Siever 2, Williamson.