SPORTS
10 - Edmonds Beacon
www.edmondsbeacon.com
May 25, 2017
E-W’s dream season continues, next stop SafecoM Warriors edge Eagles 8-7 in 10-inning 3A state regional contest
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BY DAVID PAN REPORTER @ YOURBEACON . NET
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n the classic movie Field of Dreams, Kevin Costner’s character hears a mysterious voice telling him – “if you build it, he will come.” The Edmonds-Woodway baseball team didn’t hear any voices at the Seattle Mariners baseball game the coaches and players attended last week before their state regional playoff contests. Coach Dan Somoza instead wanted his players to visualize themselves playing at Safeco Field, site of the 3A state championships. Three days later, the Warriors turned what was only in their imagination into a reality. Edmonds-Woodway battled Wesco 3A North rival Arlington in a back-andforth 10-inning state quarterfinal game that left the Warriors utterly exhausted but also absolutely elated with an 8-7 victory Saturday, May 20, at Dream Field in Mount Vernon. The victory means Edmonds-Woodway will play Gig Harbor in a state semifinal game at 7 p.m., Friday, May 26, at Safeco Field. “Are you kidding me? This is like an amazing dream just to be there,” Somoza said. The final four appearance is the firstever for Edmonds-Woodway. When they were at Safeco Field on Wednesday, May 17, Somoza told his players that they were going to be returning there to play in the state tournament. “You know what? These guys believed it and they achieved it,” Somoza said. “It’s just fun to see kids working toward a common goal and achieving something that they’ve wanted to do all year long.” Edmonds-Woodway senior Brandon Mitchell said that he and his teammates always believed they could advance to the final four. “It’s surreal because we personally expected to be here, but no one assumed our team could do it,” Mitchell said. “I love that we’re a bunch of warriors and we fight to the end.” Edmonds-Woodway and Arlington both battled to the final out in an epic contest that featured four lead changes, a two-out game-tying double in the bottom of the seven and the first appearance on the mound by Mitchell in more than a month. “It was a battle,” said Mitchell, who came in to pitch in the bottom of the 10th inning. “They scored two runs. We scored two runs. They would score. We would score. I loved it. I’d rather have this game than a blowout any day because it was two great teams. Arlington put up a good fight. It was all fun.”
Beacon photos by David Pan Edmonds-Woodway’s Garrison Krohn prepares to bat against Arlington during a 3A state regional playoff game Saturday, May 20 at Dream Field in Mount Vernon.
Edmonds-Woodway’s Kosta Cooper pitches against Arlington in a 3A state regional playoff game at Dream Field in Mount Vernon.
Edmonds-Woodway celebrates its 8-7 victory over Arlington in the state regional playoffs and the school’s first-ever trip to the final four. The Warriors took a 2-0 lead in the third inning on a two-out double by Mitchell that scored fellow seniors Kosta Cooper and Julian Kodama. The Eagles struck back next inning, grabbing a 3-2 lead when Jack Sheward launched a three-run home run to left field. The home run was the only mistake by Cooper, who was relieved by Kodama in the seventh inning due to a pitch count. “Kosta threw as good a game as you can expect, except for one pitch,” senior catcher Garrison Krohn said. “He commanded every part of the zone. He worked in and worked out. He worked his off-speed really well.” The Warriors tied the score at 3 in the fifth on a single by Krohn that scored Kodama. Edmonds-Woodway took a 5-3 lead in the top of the seventh when Cooper led off with a double to center field and came home on a single by senior Nick Hull. Krohn later scored on a bunt by junior Sam Alvarado. Arlington fought back with a pair runs
Edmonds-Woodway Athlete of the Week This week’s Edmonds-Woodway Athlete of the Week is junior Olivia Olson. Playing singles for the EW tennis team, Olivia was a key factor in her team winning the Wesco South Championship, finishing 10-0 in league play. Olivia has been on the EW tennis team since her freshman year and also competes for the EW Cross Country team in the fall. She is on the school’s Speech and Debate team, and has been involved with VFW’s speech and debate contest for the last 5 years. At the 3A District Tennis Tournament last week Olivia defeated an Arlington opponent 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the State Tennis Tournament! Congrats to the EW Tennis Team for its Wesco South Championship and Good Luck to Olivia at State Tennis!
Olivia Olson Girls Tennis
in the bottom of the seventh to send the game into extra innings. Sheward hit a double to left field with two outs to drive in the two runs. The Warriors kept their poise after losing the lead. “We talked about that. When adversity hits, what are you going to do?” Somoza said. “You just take it and move on. The kids have really bought into that this year.” After scoreless eighth and ninth innings, Edmonds-Woodway seized an 8-5 lead in the 10th. Cooper struck out but reached first base when the ball got away from the catcher. Kodama walked and Mitchell was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Krohn then was struck by a pitch that brought Cooper home. With two outs, Hull hit an infield single to drive in Kodama and then a third EdmondsWoodway batter was struck by a pitch to force Mitchell home for the third run of the inning.
Edmonds-Woodway shortstop Brandon Mitchell throws the ball to first base.
Arlington then mounted its final comeback of the game, pushing across two runs. The tying run was on third base, but Mitchell, who came in for Kodama, forced a pop out to second baseman Cooper to end the game. Every Edmonds-Woodway player helped the team win. “It took a whole team,” Somoza said. “It took guts. It took our selfless, relentless attitude that these kids have
King’s Schools Athlete of the Week Congratulations to senior Track and Field captain Matt Jackson for being named King’s High School Athlete of the Week. Matt is a 4 year standout for the Knights in the 800m and 1600m runs and anchoring the 1600m relay. At the District 1 Championship meet last week Matt won the two middle distance events and anchored the 4X400 winning relay. Matt finished an internship with CRISTA Broadcasting and leads a class in video production. Matt is the technical supervisor for the ASB and has a 3.74 GPA. Edmonds Realty proudly recognizes King’s Schools Athletes
Matt Jackson Track and Field
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Three Warriors competing at 3A tennis tourney
Edmonds-Woodway’s Olivia Olson secured a berth to the 3A state girls tennis tournament. Olson, who finished third at the Wesco 3A South tournament, defeated Arlington’s Layla Garduno-Cravioto 6-3, 6-1 in the third-fourth place match at the 3A District 1 tournament Thursday, May 17, at Jackson High School. Olson and Garduno-Cravioto both advanced to the 3A state tournament, Friday and Saturday, May 26-27, in Kennewick. Also competing for EdmondsWoodway this weekend are Arun Kalohke and Nick Berni in the 3A state boys doubles tournament.