Youth ball: HDM 15s reach state title game

The Hazel Dell Metro 15s had already clinched a spot in the Babe Ruth Pacific Northwest Regional tournament as the host team. But the HDM 15s also played their way in by reaching the title game of the state tournament in Kelso.

Hazel Dell Metro defeated Midland 7-3 in Saturday’s semifinal game at Rister Stadium. HDM will face Centralia at 1 p.m. today for the state title.

Alec Dannet pitched two-hit ball for five innings to earn the win, and the offense scattered eight hits.

Kalama-Woodland-Ridgefield-La Center (KWRL) has a shot to make regionals if it can win the third-place game today against Midland.

KWRL eliminated Hoquiam 12-9 in an early game Saturday, but then lost to Centralia 12-0.

The third-place game is at 10 a.m.

The regional tournament begins July 31 at Propstra Stadium.

U14 state — KWRL suffered back-to-back losses and was eliminated. On Friday, KWRL dropped a close game to South Thurston 5-4, and then was ousted by Centralia on Saturday 14-4.

U13 state — Hazel Dell Metro reached the title game at Chehalis with an 18-9 win over Thurston County.

HDM faces Centralia at 1 p.m. today for the state title and a berth to regionals at Kennewick.

HDM opened Saturday’s playby eliminating Camas-Washougal 11-5.

LL Junior baseball

Spokane 6, Hazel Dell 2 — Hazel Dell finished third at the state tournament for ages 13-14, eliminated by Spokane at Arlington.

Hazel Dell couldn’t get the clutch hits when needed, stranding 10 runners over the final four innings. Jace McKinney was 3 for 4, and Blake McKinney was 2 for 2.

BABE RUTH BASEBALL

U15 STATE TOURNAMENT

At Rister Stadium, Kelso

Saturday’s Games

Midland 5, Kelso 4 (Kelso eliminated)

KWRL 12, Hoquiam 9 (Hoquiam eliminated)

Hazel Dell Metro 7, Midland 3

Centralia 12, KWRL 0

Sunday’s Games

Third place: Midland vs. KWRL, 10 a.m. (winner to regional)

Championship: Hazel Dell Metro vs. Centralia, 1 p.m. (both advance to regional)

HAZEL DELL METRO 7, MIDLAND 3

Midland 000 003 0–3 5 2

Hazel Dell Metro 003 004 x–7 8 1

Hazel Dell Metro

Pitching — Alec Dannet 5 IP, win, 6K, 2H; Jay Becker 1 IP, 2K; Jake Lewis 1 IP. Highlights — Becker 1-4 1R; Lewis 1-3 1R; Dannet 1-3 RBI 2R; Hayden Humphrey 1-4 1R; Brooks Hanson 1R; Kaiden Grotte 1-2; Sam Walker 2-2; Justin Aspon 1-1 1R; Brady Benson sac.

U14 STATE TOURNAMENT

Friday’s Game

South Thurston 5, KWRL 4

Saturday’s Game

Centralia 14, KWRL 4 (KWRL eliminated)

U13 STATE TOURNAMENT

At Chehalis

Friday’s Games

Camas-Washougal 12, Pasco 11

Hazel Dell Metro 10, Mt. St. Helens 7

East Grays Harbor 3, Kennewick 2

Thurston County 5, Centralia 3

Saturday’s Games

Hazel Dell Metro 11, Camas-Washougal 5 (Camas-Washougal eliminated)

Centralia 8, Mt. St. Helens 5

Hazel Dell Metro 18, Thurston County 9

Today’s Game

Championship: Hazel Dell Metro vs. Centralia, 1 p.m.

INDEPENDENT BASEBALL

Baden Northwest Invitational

CARDINALS 9, COVINGTON CUBS 1

Cardinals 403 101 –9 8 0

Cubs 010 000 –1 1 4

Cardinals highlights

Pitching — Kody Watts 6 IP, win, 10K. Hitting — Anthony Collura 2-4 2B 3R; Caleb Whalen 3-4 3B 2R; Clint Coulter 1-2 2RBI 1R; Kurt Yinger 1-3 RBI 1R; Trevor Goforth 1-3.

CARDINALS 5, NW TIMBERJACKS 1

Cardinals 100 201 1–5 10 1

Timberjacks 000 010 0–1 3 1

Cardinals highlights

Pitching — Trevor Goforth 7 IP, win, 9K. Hitting — Anthony Collura 3-4 2B RBI 1R; Kurt Yinger 4-4 2B 3B RBI; Ryan Johnson 1-4 1R; Justin Webb 2-2 HR 2RBI.

Today’s Game: Cardinals (26-12-2) play RIPS Brewers, 10 a.m. at UW.