The reward for the long trip to Pullman and winning a state title?
How about another trip east to Idaho.
That works just fine for the Hazel Dell Metro 14-year-old all-star baseball team as they claimed the Southern Washington state title on Sunday with a 9-8, 8-inning victory over Thurston County at Bailey-Brayton field on the Washington State University campus.
Next up will be a trek to Lewiston, Idaho, for the regional tournament that begins Aug. 1 on the Lewis-Clark State campus.
Hazel Dell Metro, which won just one of its three pool-play games, came out just fine in the single-elimination portion of the eight-team state tournament.
It was capped by Sunday’s come-from-behind victory. Hazel Dell Metro, down 8-3 after five innings, scored three in the sixth, tied the game with a two-run seven, and then won it in the eighth.
Justin Aspon’s deep hit over the leftfielder’s head scored the game-tying run.
In the eighth, James Brooks scored the winning run on a throwing error.
Andrew Free knocked in two of Hazel Dell Metro’s three runs in the sixth inning, and Hayden Humphrey also had an RBI in the inning.
Jake Lewis pitched four innings in relief for the victory. He allowed two hits and struck out two.
Other team members are Jay Becker, Brady Benson, Alec Dannet, Micah Fitzpatrick, Kaiden Grotte, Brooks Hanson, Jason Harmsen, Nolan Jameson, Chase Wiger, and Josh Wilkerson.
Little League baseball
Majors (11-12) state — Glenwood won its first two games at the tournament at Smith-Murray Park in Elma, advancing on Sunday after a 16-6 victory over West Plains.
Glenwood won its opener on Saturday, 9-2 over Gig Harbor.
Conner Janini hit a three-run home run for Glenwood against West Plains, and Bryce Gould added a three-run homer of his own one inning later as the all-stars pulled away after trailing 4-0.
Next is a matchup against Auburn at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Fort Vancouver lost its opening game on Saturday, 12-1 to Mercer Island. No details were reported from that game.
Fort Vancouver is scheduled to play a loser-out game at noon today against West Valley.
This tournament sends its champion to the regional in San Bernardino, Calif., (Aug. 6-15) for a shot at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., later in August.
JBO baseball
The Demarini Bulldogs of Vancouver won the 14U Junior Baseball Organization Senior Federal state title on Sunday at Forest Grove, Ore.
The Bulldogs (39-5) defeated Lake Oswego 11-3.
The team is made up of eighth graders mainly from the Skyview and Columbia River areas.
Players and coaches include: Ethan Beniga, Jake Dennis, Austin Greene, Brian Valentine, Jordan Freese, Alec Chaney, Bryson Oury, Adam Walker, Ben Spies, Colon Lucas, Joey Colson, Seth Rayburn, Andrew Haley, manager Cameron Chilcote, coaches Jeff Chilcote, Dave Oury, and Mark Haley.
Coaches and scorekeepers can report scores and highlights by calling 735-4484 by 10 p.m. or e-mail to sports@columbian.com
