Skyview baseball left wondering ‘what if’ after 5-4 semifinal loss

SEATTLE — The Skyview baseball team received a standing ovation from its fans as it walked off the field.

Later, on the Safeco Field concourse, there were hugs and handshakes.

Skyview lost 5-4 in Friday’s Class 4A state semifinals to Puyallup.

But Storm players held their heads high after overcoming a 3-0 deficit and going toe to toe with a team that has won 24 straight games.

“I think it speaks to our heart and intensity,” junior Michael Lundgren said. “We never think we’re out of a game until the last pitch of the last inning.”

But with the pride were feelings of ‘what if?’

What if Carter Wallace’s seeing-eye single hadn’t found its way between two Skyview infielders? It drove in two runs to give Puyallup a 5-4 lead in the top of the sixth.

Or what if Max Rose’s sharp hit hadn’t clipped a Skyview baserunner between first and second? That ended the fifth inning on a play that likely would have given Skyview a 5-3 lead.

“In close games like this it’s just one or two plays, then all of the sudden we’re in the same boat as Puyallup is going to be tomorrow,” Rose said.

Skyview (17-9) will play for third place against Kentwood or Kentlake at 10 a.m. Saturday.

“You win games by a small amount and you lose games by a small amount,” Skyview coach Seth Johnson said. “That’s why baseball is such a character builder because you lose these tough games. The main thing is bouncing back tomorrow.”

Puyallup (24-2) scored three runs in the top of the first. Ryan Teague’s double to left-center field drove in two runs.

After that, Skyview pitcher Brody Barnum settled into a groove. He didn’t allow another hit until the sixth inning, retiring 11 batters in a row during one stretch.

Puyallup pitcher Michael Newstrom retired nine of Skyview’s first 10 hitters. But the Storm’s bats woke up in the fourth inning.

After Tanner Jacques and Barnum each singled, Rose lined a double into left-center field to score both runners. Rose later scored on Nick Jennings’ sacrifice fly to tie the game at 3.

Skyview took the lead in the fifth inning. Lundgren’s two-out single to center field drove in Daniel Copeland from second.

“(Puyallup is) the kind of team that when they get up, they chip away and the lead keeps expanding,” Johnson said. “It shows our character that we came back to not only tie it, but take the lead.”

The lead was short-lived. Puyallup scored twice in the top of the sixth on Wallace’s ground ball up the middle with one out.

After Carter Hill led off the seventh with a walk, former Battle Ground all-state player Michael Spellacy took over as Puyallup’s pitcher.

Copeland’s sacrifice bunt moved Hill to second, but the Storm couldn’t get the key hit that would have tied the game.

“There’s always going to be a feeling of ‘what if,’” Lundgren said “You’ve just got to battle, every pitch, every strike. We gave it our all. That’s something we can feel happy about.”

PUYALLUP 5, SKYVIEW 4

Puyallup        300     002     0—5   5          2

Skyview        000     310     0—4   5          1

Puyallup

Pitching – Michael Newstrom 6 IP, 10 K, 3 BB; Michael Spellacy 1 IP, K, BB.

Offensive highlights – Michael Spellacy 1-3, R; Gavin Grant 1-4, R, 2B; Zack Larson 1-4, 2 R; Ryan Teague 1-4, R, 2 RBI, 2B; Carter Wallace 1-3, 2 RBI.

Skyview

Pitching – Brody Barnum 6 IP, 5 K, 3 BB; Daniel Copeland 1 IP, 2 K.

Offensive highlights – Tanner Jacques 2-4, R; Brody Barnum 1-2, R; Michael Lundgren 1-4; Max Rose 1-3, R, 2 RBI, 2B; Liam Kerr 1-3.