King’s Way baseball beats Montesano, reaches regionals

CASTLE ROCK – The road was a little longer and bumpier than they had hoped.

But the King’s Way Christian baseball team has arrived where they want to be – the regional round of the 1A state tournament.

King’s Way beat Montesano 9-0 on Saturday, its third straight win in a loser-out game at the district tournament.

Entering the tournament on an 11-game win streak, the Trico League champion Knights dropped their opener to Tenino.

But King’s Way (18-3) rebounded to win three straight to claim the last of the district’s three regional berths.

“It’s just the attitude we have,” sophomore pitcher Damon Casetta-Stubbs said. “My life for you, being selfless. We just learned how to battle and come through adversity.”

Casetta-Stubbs’ six-inning pitching journey Saturday was a little bumpy too. But he repeatedly escaped trouble, stranding 11 Montesano baserunners and striking out nine at Castle Rock High School.

Preston Danberg supplied all the offense King’s Way needed. The senior went 4 for 4 with two home runs and five RBI.

“This week we really focused on getting our timing down on pitches,” Danberg said. “I’ve kind of been struggling all year, so I think today I really wanted to show that I’ve been working this week.”

Danberg and his younger brother Riley both homered in a four-run fifth inning, when King’s Way broke the game open.

Preston Danberg followed Karter Graves’ one-out triple with a home run to left-center. After Casetta-Stubbs doubled, Riley Danberg hit a two-run shot to left field to give the Knights an 8-0 lead.

Preston Danberg had RBI singles in the first two innings and added a solo home run in the sixth.

Casetta-Stubbs allowed four hits and two walks. But three hit batters and two errors helped make his innings a little tense.

Montesano (13-11) left two runners on base each of the first three innings.

With King’s Way up 4-0 in the fourth inning, Montesano loaded the bases with one out thanks to an error, a hit batter and a walk. But Casetta-Stubbs got out of trouble with a strikeout and a grounder back to the mound.

“It was just mostly the coaches helping me out,” Casetta-Stubbs said. “Telling me things to do from the dugout. Staying positive too. They were helping me keep my front shoulder up.”

King’s Way will play in a four-team single-elimination regional pod May 21 in Anacortes. Whichever team wins twice advances to the final four in Yakima.

KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN 9, MONTESANO 0

Montesano   000 000 0 – 0 4 1

King’s Way  130 041 x – 9 10 2

Montesano

Pitching – Austin Peterson 1.2 IP, 1 K; Seth Brink 2.2 IP, 3 K; Nick Chapman 1.2 IP.

Highlights – Evan Bates 2-3, 2B; Chase Cleveringa 1-2; Teegan Zillyett 1-4.

King’s Way Christian

Pitching – Damon Casetta-Stubbs 6 IP, 9K; Karter Graves 1 IP, 1 K.

Highlights – Karter Graves 1-3, 3B; R; Preston Danberg 4-4, 2 R; 5 RBI; 2 HR; Damon Casetta-Stubbs 2-4, R, 3B; Riley Danberg 2-4, R, 2 RBI; HR; Isaiah Parker 1-2, R, RBI.