BI wins play-in game, moves on to district tourney

The Bainbridge Spartans won a spot in the 3A baseball district tournament with a 13-0 shellacking of Spanaway Lake in play-in game May 3 at Foss High School in Tacoma.

Bainbridge scored three runs in the top of the first inning. Will Rohrbacher smashed a ball to the right-centerfield wall to score AJ Larsen and Duncan Bos. Rohrbacher scored a few pitches later when Spanaway Lake’s shortstop threw the ball over the first baseman’s head, allowing Talan Williams to reach first base.

In its half of the inning, the Sentinels had an opportunity with one out and runners on first and second. However, Bainbridge pitcher Cole Pentin struck out one batter and catcher JT Hardy caught the runner at first base.

Pentin extended the lead to 5-0 after three innings with a 2 RBI single, as Bos and Kochenash scored. The Spartans looked to expand the lead in the fourth inning as Larsen reached first and McCrea Curfman hit a ground rule double. But they were both left on base.

In the fifth inning, the Spartans added three runs with two outs. Braden French came to bat, and Kochenash scored on a passed ball. Afterward, French laid a bunt down the third-base line and picked up a single. However, Spanaway Lake’s pitcher overthrew the first baseman, which led to Williams and Pentin scoring. Bainbridge added its ninth run in the sixth inning when Bos hit an RBI single, and Curfman scored.

Bainbridge finished the game with four more runs. Trey Thompson hit into a groundout that scored Williams, Larsen scored French on a single to center field and Bos scored Curfman and Larsen on a double to center. Pentin finished with seven strikeouts, one hit and four walks allowed.

The Spartans head to North Thurston to play them in the first round of the district tournament May 7 at 4 pm.