The Woodland Beavers knocked off the top-ranked 1A team in the state and will play for the District 4 baseball title.
Cy Whitmire hit a two-run single to tie the game, and Austin Holcomb drove in the go-ahead run as Woodland scored three runs in the sixth inning to shock previously unbeaten Montesano 3-2.
Trevor Huddleston was untouchable the last four innings for the Beavers, who won two games Tuesday to advance to Saturday’s title game. Woodland will face Tenino in Castle Rock.
The Beavers (17-5) have won 12 in a row and with their performance Tuesday have secured a berth to the Class 1A regionals, the state round of 16.
Woodland scored six runs in the fourth inning to take control in its first game of the day and beat Rochester 12-7.
Montesano left the bases loaded in the first and third innings and scored two runs in the second inning against Huddleston. That was it, though.
Huddleston struck out five and faced the minimum in the final four innings.
With the bases loaded and one out in the third, Huddleston got the next two batters out, then Montesano went three-up/three down the next three innings for 11 in a row.
Montesano’s lead-off batter in the seventh got on board after a strikeout on a wild pitch and a throwing error. But that runner was erased on a double play.
Woodland was shut out for five innings before Whitmire’s two-run single. Whitmire then scored from second on a ground-out by Holcomb. Whitmire was stealing on the pitch and was waved home when Holcomb’s ball went to second base. Holcomb was out at first, but Whitmire raced home to give the Beavers the lead.
The Beavers had to rally in the first game, as well.
Rochester led 2-1 before Hunter Huddleston started the six-run rally for the Beavers with a lead-off single. Whitmire tied the game with a run-scoring single, and Tanner Huddleston gave the Beavers a 3-2 lead with his run-scoring single.
Hunter Huddleston capped the rally with his second hit of the frame, making it 7-2.
Rochester would score two in the top of the fifth to get within three, but Holcomb and Colton Lucas hit back-to-back home runs to give the Beavers more breathing room.
Hunter Huddleston threw six innings to get the win against Rochester.
Baseball
Union beats Tahoma — Union withstood a three-run homer by Tahoma in the bottom of the seventh to hold on for a 5-4 win in a loser-out game at the 4A bi-district tournament.
Union plays Olympia at 7 p.m. today in Puyallup for a berth to the state regionals.
Abram Hartwig went 2 for 3 with a double and two RBI, and Cody Hawken was 2 for 3 with a double and two runs for the Titans.
A baserunning mistake led to an out that preceded the home run in the seventh for Tahoma, erasing the possibility of a game-tying grand slam in the seventh.
Heritage falls to Kentwood — Kentwood beat Heritage 5-0, dropping the Timberwolves into the loser-out bracke at the 4A bi-district tournament. Heritage will face Auburn Riverside at 4 p.m. today in Kent.
Columbia River beats Hazen — The Chieftains broke open the game with a six-run fifth inning, four of those runs scoring with two outs, and eliminated Hazen, 10-5.
Columbia River trailed 1-0 after two innings, then tied it in the third. It was 3-1 with two outs when Clark Bryant belted a bases-clearing triple then scored on Andrew Haley’s double.
Bryant was 2 for 3 with a double, triple and four RBI.
Rian Bassett pitched six innings for the win as the Chieftains advanced to a game today against North Thurston at Heidelberg Park in Tacoma.
Hockinson falls in Tumwater — The Hawks were held to one hit in a 4-1 loss to Tumwater in the Class 2A district playoffs.
Hockinson will face Centralia on Wednesday in an elimination game. The Hawks must win Wednesday and again on Saturday in order to advance to the state regionals.
Ridgefield falls — Joe Siegal went 3 for 4 with a home run and 4 RBI as Ridgefield fell 13-7 to Aberdeen in the 2A district tournament. Ridgefield will play Capital at 4 p.m. today in Centralia in a loser-out game.
Soccer
Fort Vancouver eliminates Prairie — Caleb Ulrey converted a deflection in front of the goal for the game’s only goal as Fort Vancouver beat Prairie 1-0 in a 3A district loser-out game.
The Trappers advances as the 3A GSHL’s No. 3 team and will play a bi-district game Saturday. Oswaldo Camarena preserved the shutout with eight saves.
Seton Catholic wins — Seton Catholic is going back to the Class 1A state soccer tournament.
Brennen McDaid-O’Neill and Eric Powell each scored two goals, and John Polen assisted on three as the Cougars topped Woodland 5-1 in an elimination match in the district tournament.
Seton Catholic will face Hoquiam in the third-place match Thursday. Both teams have qualified for the state tournament. The Cougars lost in the first round at state last year.
Seton led 2-1 at the half, then scored three to ease to state.
Dylan Cole had two saves in net for Seton.
Hockinson shuts out Aberdeen — Scoreless for 75 minutes, the Hockinson Hawks scored twice in the final five minutes to beat Aberdeen 2-0 in the semifinals of the Class 2A District boys soccer tournament.
The Hawks will play Thursday for the district championship.
Emmanuel Gil scored an unassisted goal in the 76th minute. Two minutes later, Mitchell Pinney scored off a pass from Brett Sparks.
The action was not over yet, though.
Hockinson goalkeeper saved a penalty kick in the 79th minute, preserving the shutout.
Midfielder Scott Stavig was credited by coaches as having his best all-around performance of the season.
Ridgefield beats Mark Morris — Jared Williams had two goals and Nate Miller had a goal and an assist as Ridgefield beat Mark Morris 4-1 in the 2A district tournament game.
The win clinches a state tournament berth for the Spudders, who will face Hockinson at home on Thursday for the 2A district title.
Softball
Woodland sweeps La Center — Woodland clinched the 1A Trico League championship with a doubleheader sweep of La Center, 7-0 and 15-1.
Makayla Lefever threw a seven-inning no-hitter in the opener, striking nine and walking none. Emily Tesdale went 3 for 4 in the second game as the Beavers completed a 14-0 league season.
