EVERETT — The Snohomish baseball team prevailed in close games all season long, relying on strong pitching and clutch hits.
Saturday morning, for the first time all season, the Panthers found themselves on the other side.
Snohomish tallied three hits and left 10 runners on base as the Panthers fell to Skyline 3-0 in a 4A state regional game at Everett Memorial Stadium. The loss was the first — and only — of the season for Snohomish (22-1), which saw its 2015 campaign end with the defeat.
“We played well enough to win,” said Snohomish head coach Kim Hammons. “We had good pitching, we had good defense, we put a lot of runners on base and we got them into great scoring position. I’m not sure how many guys were left on base, I’m going to say 10 right now.
“Today, we just did not get the clutch hit. We have gotten clutch hits from everybody on the whole team throughout the year to keep games close and to win games. And today we did not.”
Skyline did all of its damage in the top of the fifth inning, with a two-run single by Ryan Cornwall followed by an RBI single by Johnathan Chriest.
Snohomish almost responded in the bottom half of the fifth, with back-to-back singles to start the inning. But the Panthers’ offense stalled as Skyline pitcher Hugh Smith got the next three batters out.
In the bottom of the sixth Snohomish loaded the bases but Smith again got out of trouble with a pop up to center field.
“I think we ran into a quality arm,” Hammons said. “They made quality plays. … They had that one inning when they had seeing-eye hits. It makes it tough. They had their opportunities as well and they delivered. It was just a great pitching matchup. Both teams played really solid defense. We executed on bunts, we moved guys over, we just couldn’t buy a clutch hit.”
Skyline (13-9) finished fifth in KingCo 4A before winning the league tournament to clinch a state berth. The Spartans, who have won five games in a row, are at state for the first time since 2010.
“It was a battle,” said Skyline coach Chris Tamminen. “We got some breaks and they didn’t get some. It was a close game. It could have gone either way. We were fortunate. They’re a very good team and we’re fortunate to come out with a win.”
Jake Mulholland, Derrek Johnson and Brad Morgan recorded Snohomish’s three hits.
Kyle Sandifer, one of Snohomish’s eight seniors, had another strong outing for the Panthers on the mound. The senior struck out five and didn’t allow an earned run.
“The key for us was not chasing Sandifer’s high fastball and just trying to make contact with that slider, because he was throwing that for strikes,” Tamminen said. “We knew, eventually, we were going to have to hit that pitch. He’s a bulldog. He’s a very good pitcher and nothing really shakes him too much.”
Added Hammons: “I thought that Sandifer threw a really good ballgame, which is typical of him.”
The loss abruptly ended a previously-undefeated run for Snohomish. The Panthers, who made it to regionals for the first time since 2009 and won the 4A state title in 2008, broke into the USA Today Super 25 national poll at No. 10 this past week.
“It was just a great year. Who would of thunk it, No. 1, that we (would go undefeated). I thought we’d be .500,” Hammons said. “We went 20-0 (in the regular season). That’s a lot better. It’s just the incredible improvement that they made from the beginning of the season until the end. So many guys, as key contributors, on the mound and with clutch hits. There were a lot of kids that contributed to this good season. There’s a lot of good memories.”
At Everett Memorial Stadium.
Skyline 000 030 0 — 3 6 2
Snohomish 000 000 0 — 0 3 2
Hugh Smith and Johnathan Chriest. Ryan Sandifer and Ben Dmochowsky. WP—Smith. LP—Sandifer. Records—Skyline 14-9. Snohomish 22-1.
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