The Bruin boys varsity baseball team took the field Friday in second round play of the 3A league championship tournament and ran into a confident and skilled Warrenton Warrior team. Bruin head coach Keith Wallin spent the season preparing his team for this very moment and Friday’s game would test every aspect of their game.
On a cool, sunny, and windy day, the national anthem played, the first pitch was thrown, and by the bottom of the 1st inning, Warrenton was leading 0-3.
The Bruins had Adam Shew on the hill and three pitches later the Bruins had their first out of the game. But Warrenton batters were patient, and the next batter drew a walk. The following three batters hit singles and uncharacteristic errant throws by the Bruins allowed runners to advance. The early pressure on the basepaths put the Bruins behind 0-3 after the first half of the first inning.
Warrenton pitcher Dalton Knight then pitched a shut-down bottom of the first. The Bruin offense put two on after two hits, but a sacrifice bunt saw Warrenton throw out the runner at second. The next Bruin batter hit into an inning ending double play, putting an end to the Bruin answer in the bottom of the first.
In the bottom of the second inning, Bruin catcher Jacub McCollum would breathe life into the Bruin dugout when he squared up the second Warrenton pitch he saw, and air mailed it over the fence putting the Bruins on the board 1-3. Warrenton then would make a throwing mistake that would end up ending the inning after throwing out a Bruin runner attempting to take advantage of the mistake at second base.
The Bruins would not score again until the bottom of the fifth inning when Manny Zamora hit a one-out single through the infield. Adam Shew then drove a two-out double to left field and Zamora would dramatically score from first base on the throw home drawing the Bruins closer 2-3.
Coach Wallin’s conservative fundamental baseball of advancing runners with a consistent fundamental play that served the Bruins well all season long just wasn’t enough Friday as the Warrenton defense played perfectly, making the right play at the right time while committing no errors on the day. “Credit Warrenton for making some huge plays in big moments,” said Coach Wallin after the game.
Adam Shew, unfortunately, took the 2-3 loss for the Bruins after outpitching Warrenton giving up three runs on seven hits over seven innings, and striking out ten. Warrenton’s Dalton Knight allowed ten hits and two runs over seven innings, striking out one and walking one.
After the game Coach Wallin said “We played well. The Boys made a few mistakes early but played hard the whole game and never gave up. We battled and had a chance in the end and unfortunately didn’t get it done.” “I’m proud of how we battled and hopefully we put a product out there people can be proud of.” he went on to say.
After the last out is made, and the opponent is celebrating in your yard, it is hard to see the accomplishments achieved when goals and expectations seem to have fallen short or incomplete. But that is exactly what needs to happen. An undefeated season in league play is something to celebrate. Advancing to the second round of the state playoffs is something to celebrate. The skill and growth of the players and staff is something to celebrate. But in a game of numbers that in the end appear to show a win, it’s not easy to accept it as an end.
That’s baseball baby.
“This is truly a family staff and these guys care so much for these players. I can’t thank them enough. I am so thankful for the support of OUR staff and the support of our community!” – Head Coach Keith Wallin
Congratulations and thank you to Coach Wallin, his staff and the players.
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