Some of the King’s Way Christian baseball players did not even realize the significance of their victory Tuesday night — at least not right away.
The Knights, after all, had been unbeaten in Trico League play for most of the schedule, so they figured eventually, yes, they would win the league title.
Indeed, the Knights confirmed that, bouncing back from their first league loss of the season in the opener of a doubleheader against La Center with a big win the second game.
La Center took the opener 5-3, but King’s Way got the nightcap with a 10-1 victory, improving to 9-1 in the Trico League.
That win assures King’s Way of at least a share of its third consecutive league title. The Knights also have clinched the top seed to the district tournament.
The secret to their success is not much of a secret in the baseball world.
“Just continue to play team baseball,” said Damon Casetta-Stubbs, who got the pitching win and had two extra-base hits in the second game. “We’re not selfish at all.”
“Stick with what we do,” added Garrett Wellman, who had a triple and a double and drove in three runs. “We have a set program. If you veer from it, you’re not going to have a good outcome.”
Miscues — errors and wild pitches — were factors in the first game for King’s Way when La Center rallied from a three-run deficit.
One La Center run came on a dropped third strike. Another after a passed ball. One more with a wild pitch.
La Center also took advantage with a strong defensive game behind pitcher Clint Smith. After falling behind 3-0, Smith concluded his complete game with four scoreless innings.
The perfect league season was finished for King’s Way, but certainly not the drive of the Knights.
“It definitely made me want to get the ball and be in control of the second game,” Casetta-Stubbs said of getting the call for the mound.
He said he did not have his best stuff but he struck out five in 4.1 innings of work to pick up the win.
Casetta-Stubbs also got the offense going with a two-out triple in the first inning that led to a quick 2-0 lead. The first four King’s Way batters in the second inning all hit safety and eventually scored to make it 6-0. Wellman had the highlight of the frame with a two-run triple.
Karter Graves, Casetta-Stubbs, and Wellman each drove in a run in the fifth to go up 9-1.
The Knights added another run on an error in the sixth.
“It gives you a very confident feeling,” Wellman said. “You come back after a loss and you put 10 on them. It makes you fell pretty reassured.”
Be sure of this, too: The Knights expect that they are just getting started with the big wins.
A year ago, the team lost in the quarterfinals of the Class 1A state baseball tournament. This year, they would like three more wins.
“State championship,” Wellman said.
“End with a win,” Casetta-Stubbs said.
Then the Knights would celebrate a whole lot more than they did Tuesday.
