Lake Stevens bows to Bears in state regional

EVERETT — For five innings on Saturday, Lake Stevens and Olympia waged a tight, tense Class 4A regional baseball showdown at Everett Memorial Stadium.

Vikings right-hander Branden Kelliher was pitching well enough to amass 11 strikeouts, though he trailed 2-1 through five. The difference was an unearned run Olympia pushed across in the third inning, and as the game went to the sixth it was looking like that run might be decisive.

As it turned out, that one run mattered very little. It was the 10 runs Olympia scored in the final two innings that were costly.

The Bears pounded out 10 hits in their last two at-bats, got two other base runners via walks, benefitted from three Lake Stevens errors, and turned a close game into an eventual 12-1 blowout. The outcome moved Olympia into the regional final against Kentwood later on Saturday, and ended the Vikings’ season with a 14-10 record.

Afterward, Lake Stevens coach Rodger Anderson told his players “to not remember this game because that’s not us. It was just one of those games.”

The Vikings started a lineup with seven juniors, two sophomores and just one senior, “so maybe our youth caught up with us,” Anderson said. Conversely, Olympia “is a very good high school team. We really can’t feel bad about it because we got beat by a better team today.”

A week ago, Lake Stevens pulled out three hard-fought wins to snag a surprising District 1 championship and the right to host Saturday’s four-team regional. And in the early going Saturday it looked like this might be another battle that would go down to the last pitch.

The Vikings struck first, scoring a two-out run in the bottom of the first. First baseman Corey Bullens, batting third, lashed a single into right-center field on the first pitch, and Kelliher followed with a drive off the left field wall — it missed being a home run by about 10 feet — to score Bullens on a sliding play at the plate.

Olympia countered with two runs in the third on two hits and two Vikings errors. Both were errant throws, and the second allowed the Bears to score the go-ahead run.

Aside from a shaky third, the hard-throwing Kelliher gave up only two other hits while fanning 11 in the first five innings. But in the sixth he walked the leadoff hitter and gave up three straight hits, prompting Anderson to summon the first of four Lake Stevens relievers.

Alas, the new pitchers fared no better. In the sixth Olympia pounded out four doubles and four runs before center fielder Cameron Frost capped the uprising with a towering three-run home run over the left field wall.

The Bears tacked on three more runs in the seventh and Lake Stevens was retired in order to end the game.

Disappointing as Saturday’s outcome was for the Vikings, most of the players will be back to try again next season. The experience gained in this year’s district and regional tournaments “is going to be huge,” Anderson said. “I think it’s going to pay off next year, the following year and on down the line.”

Kelliher will be a senior next season, and with a sizzling fastball that reaches the low 90s “there’ll be lots of scouts around,” Anderson said. “People will be talking about him.”

And for entire program, “I think the future is very bright,” he went on. “We had great leadership from our seniors this year, but we won’t have too many holes to fill. And we’ve got some young guys that are pretty talented.

“Like we just told them, ‘Next year you’re going to have targets on your back. You’re not going to sneak up on people.’ ? So this was a learning experience, and now we’ll just build from this.”

At Everett Memorial Stadium

Olympia 002 007 3—12 14 1

Lake Stevens 100 000 0—1 4 6

Elliot Loague and Max Stottlemyre; Branden Kelliher, Jeffery Sevey (6), Nick Hoskins, Sam Pyzer (6), Jacob Eason. WP—Loague. LP—Kelliher. 2B—Leo Valenti (O), Michael Fairchild (O), Leif Hansen (O), Joey Knight (O), Jake Biscay (O), Kelliher (LS). HR—Cameron Frost (O). Records—Olympia is 19-7, Lake Stevens is 14-10.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.