Eastlake clinches KingCo Crown-South baseball title
Eastlake’s baseball team clinched the KingCo Crown-South title on Wednesday, April 22, beating their rival Newport. Eastlake ended the season with a league record of 12-4 (15-6 overall), getting the most league wins across KingCo.
“It feels great, being with this group of guys, and then it paying off. I mean, it’s an incredible feeling,” said senior catcher Marcus Frantella.
The Wolves had a rough start to the season, going 3-3 in the first six games, including a 12-2 loss to Tahoma. The team also showed potential, however, beating Highline 17-1 in the first week. Eastlake regained their footing towards the end of March, going on an unbeaten streak in a stretch of eight consecutive games across two weeks.
“Coach Cribby preaches adversity and trusting the process. And in those types of situations, when you’re down for it, it’s very easy to get down yourself and take the foot off the gas and just accept that you lost. But …we understand that baseball happens,” said senior left fielder Larson Kohlmann.
In Eastlake’s third to last game, home against fifth place Newport, the Wolves trailed 4-2 heading into the top of the sixth inning, having just scored in the bottom of the fifth through Ben Byeman.
Knowing a further run by Newport would make for slim comeback chances, Eastlake defended ferociously. The Wolves got a quick three outs as pitcher Nathan D’Souza struck out two Newport batters and caught out another on first base.
During the bottom of the sixth, the Wolves’ second baseman, Brennan Hirsh, grabbed a run on a wild pitch after two singles and two walks were pitched by Newport.
Two outs later, Eastlake junior Kellen Kinney doubled on a line drive to left field, advancing to third on the throw. At the same time, Kohlmann, Caiden Murray, and Henry Chapman all scored, bringing the tally to 6-4 with one inning to go, with Kinney getting three RBIs in one play.
“Brennan had a great bunt to start off the inning…and we just knew we were gonna have to get the job done,” said Kinney.
The top of the seventh was another Eastlake shutout. With quick plays to first base, retiring two players to the dugout, and one strikeout from Mason King, the Wolves secured the win and the title.
Eastlake has the first seed and will play in the KingCo tournament.
I think we’ll be pretty dangerous,” said Byeman, referencing the playoffs. “We’re pretty gritty and we don’t ever give up, [even] when we’ve been down on some games.”
