Print  email 

tool name

close

tool goes here

Neilsen's 3-run triple helps Rams rise in WCC

HIGH SCHOOLS: North Thurston posts sixth league win in row

The Olympian • Published April 22, 2009

• Comments (0)

After the North Thurston baseball team lost its first two league games, it looked like the Rams were headed for a long season.

But they’ve turned things around.

Tanner Neilsen belted a basesloaded triple in the fourth inning Tuesday afternoon, and North Thurston defeated Capital 6-1, in Lacey, putting the Rams in second place in the Class 3A Western Cascade Conference and keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Jacob Klumker pitched six strong innings, giving up just one run, to pick up the win.

“Jacob didn’t have his best stuff, but he gutted it out,” North Thurston coach Lance Baker said.

Neilsen finished 2-for-3 and drove in three runs — all on the triple.

“Tanner’s hit broke the game open for us,” Baker said. “He’s been real consistent for us.”

After losing its first meeting with Capital this season, North Thurston has won the past two against the Cougars.

Tuesday’s win raised the Rams’ record to 6-2 in the WCC and 11-4 overall.

“Wewerekickingtheballaround earlier,” Baker said about his team’s turnaround. “We weren’t playing with intensity, and we weren’t playing together as a group.”

North Thurston and Capital play again today.

“If we get that game, they know as well as we do, we’ll get into a playoff spot,” Baker said. “Today was a big game, (but) tomorrow’s is even bigger.”

TIMBERLINE 10, YELM 1

Elijah Firestone went 3-for-5, and Taylor Hetrick went 2-for-4, helping the Blazers improve to 7-1 in the WCC.

Hetrick scattered three hits over seven innings and struck out eight to pick up the win.

Yelm committed four errors.

“Chris (McElderry) battled his tail off for six innings and was so close to getting out of the bases loaded mess,” Yelm coach Stacy Roe said. “We are not talented enough to overcome mistakes.”

RIVER RIDGE 3, TUMWATER 2

Clinging to a 2-1 lead, the Hawks scored an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth.

Jake Pierpoint and Emil Swartling each went 2-for-3 River Ridge, which outhit the Thunderbirds, 7-6.

Tumwater’s Jake Dowers went 3-for-3 and scored a run.