4/1/16
(Tacoma, WA) The Eli Sports Network is excited about our triple header coverage live from the Tacoma Rainiers Cheney Stadium on Saturday, April 2nd. The 6 teams all chose to participate in the day of baseball and is also a fundraiser each team. (See our story on the Rainier’s High School baseball program by clicking here.)
The 3 games are a great mix of teams who would not face each other until post-season. Below are the match-ups and a brief scouting report. Please share with fans and family who can’t attend the games that they can listen on our ESN 1 channel beginning Saturday morning at 11:45.
Game 1 12-Noon
Hazen vs Curtis
Hazen: The Highlanders are from the 2A Seamount League and come in with an impressive 3-0 league mark and 3-1 overall with their lone loss a non-league game with Chief Sealth in which they lost 6-5. They currently trail Kennedy Catholic by a half game in the Seamount league. Coach Mike Brundage will have a majority of his team back next as they only have 4 Seniors and are a Junior heavy squad. The 4A Curtis Vikings will be a great challenge at Cheney Stadium.
Curtis: The Vikings are in the 4A South division of the SPSL and sport a 1-3 league record but an even 3-3 overall. Curtis has had some heartbreaking losses early on losing 2 of the games by 1 run 2-1 and 3-2 only getting handily beaten by Graham-Kapowsin 10-2. Friday, they have another non-league game with Todd Beamer. Head Coach Bryan Robinson will likely use this game to try and tighten up his squad for the run through the rest of the league schedule.
Game 2 3:00pm
Black Hills vs North Mason
Black Hills: The Black Hills Wolves are in the very difficult Evergreen 2A team and despite only 4 teams they are home to the defending State Champion Centralia Tigers. WF West Bearcats won the title just 3 seasons ago while Tumwater finished 2nd at state losing to the Bearcats 3 years ago and took 3rd 2 years back. The Evco 2A have been a dominate force on the State level and this year all teams look like they could make a run. The Wolves had their best finish in school history last season taking 3rd in the District Tournament and getting eliminated at Regionals. The Wolves have a ton back and look to take the next step this season and comes in with a 1-1 league record and 3-4 overall. But they did split their season opening series with Centralia. Coach Todd Venable has a great mix of Senior leadership and some talented young players.
North Mason: The North Mason Bulldogs from the 2A Olympic league is off to a slow league start at 0-3 and 2-5 overall. There is reason to be positive for the Bulldogs as 2 of their league losses could have easily gone either way with a 6-4 loss to league leader North Kitsap and a 6-5 loss to Olympic who are also undefeated in league play. They also have a 10-10 tie against Chimacum in a non-league contest. Coach Bill Geyer has a good rotation of older players with younger and will look to get the Bulldogs on track.
Game 3 6:00pm
Todd Beamer vs Auburn
Todd Beamer: The Titans are in the NW division of the SPSL 4A and come in with an even 3-3 overall record. They have not played any league games at this point. Coach Shane Elliott’s squad could easily be 5-1 with close losses to Kentwood 2-1 and Auburn-Mountainview 7-6 in their opener. Beamer will begin their league schedule on Tuesday with a 3-game series with Thomas Jefferson. This game with Auburn will help the Titans put the finishing touches on their team as they get set for the 12-game league schedule.
Auburn: The Trojans hail from the SPSL 3A and are looking to work out some kinks and get back on track. The Trojans are off to an 0-3 start in SPSL play and 2-5 overall with wins over Kent Meridian and Bethel by a combined 18-0. No doubt Coach Justin Mentink is look for more consistency from his charges as they have combined for only 13 runs in their 5 losses.