It was just how you might expect a pitcher’s duel to end.
With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, Hudson’s Bay pitcher Buck Hale tallied his 10th strikeout of the game with a swing and a miss.
But the ball slipped past the catcher and allowed Kelso’s Taylor Radcliffe to score from third, giving the Hilanders a 1-0 win in the Class 3A district baseball playoffs.
“Can’t remember a tougher loss in my coaching career than the one today,” Hudson’s Bay coach Ben McGrew posted on his Twitter account. “But I’m proud of the guys for competing.”
Up to that point, Hale and Kelso’s Cobi Johnson battled in a pitchers’ duel.
Emilio Alcantar went 2 for 3, Andrew Strappazon was 1 for 3 and Hale went 1 for 3 for the Eagles, who saw their season come to an end.
Tuesday’s scheduled second game was postponed by rain. Kelso will face Columbia River at 4 p.m. Wednesdday at Propstra Stadium. The winner faces Camas at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Wednesday’s late winner meets Mountain View at 4 p.m. Thursday in the district championship game. Kelso, Columbia River, Camas and Mountain View are all assured spots in next week’s bi-district tournament.
Boys soccer
Skyview 2, Evergreen 1, OT — The Storm got by Evergreen with an overtime goal by Matt Fleischauer. Now the Storm have to hope for some help from the Plainsmen, who were eliminated from playoff contention with the loss.
Evergreen faces Union on Friday. If Evergreen beats or ties Union, Skyview takes the Class 4A Greater St. Helens League title. A Union win gives the title to the Titans.
Union 4, Battle Ground 0 — In a true team effort, Union got four goals from four different players off assists from four different players to keep the Titans’ league title hopes alive.
Despite the loss, Battle Ground clinched the league’s No. 3 seed to the bi-district playoff with Evergreen’s loss to Skyview.
Camas 10, Kelso 0 — Wyatt Brown had three goals and two assists as Camas locked up the No. 1 seed to the bi-district and at least a share of the 3A GSHL title.
Camas can win the outright league title with a win or a tie against Fort Vancouver on Friday.
Fort Vancouver 3, Columbia River 0 — Edwin Duran had two assists for the Trappers in a matchup of teams who will meet next week in district playoff game.
Washougal 3, Mark Morris 0 — Michael Wright had a goal and two assists as Washougal wrapped up second place in the 2A GSHL. The Panthers will host Aberdeen to open the 2A district playoffs on Saturday.
Track and field
Washougal boys, girls sweep Mark Morris — The Washougal boys and girls teams swept Mark Morris to capture the Class 2A Greater St. Helens League dual-meet title.
Kaitlyn Johnson won the 100 meters and triple jump to lead the Panthers to 76-74 win in the girls meet.
Isaac Bischoff won the shot and the discus, and Nathan Milojevic won the javelin and pole vault to lead the Washougal boys to a 77-68 victory.
