The Vashon Pirates met a familiar foe in their District playoff game played on Saturday (5/10) at Stanwood HS: the Warriors from Seattle Christian. It was the fourth meeting between the two teams this year. They split the two league games and Vashon won the tiebreaker game. All of the contests were exciting with good pitching and good hitting but from a Pirate perspective, this game was clearly the best one of all as Vashon prevailed in convincing fashion, 11-3. Chris Pieterick was the starting pitcher for Coach Hall's Pirates. Pieterick pitched a solid complete game scattering five hits and striking out four. He pitched out of a jam in the second and held the Warriors to only one run, leaving the sacks loaded thanks to great plays on foul balls by first baseman Nathan Ott and catcher Tom Schumaker. He was never in any real serious trouble after that. But as good as the pitching was, the Pirate bats took center stage on this day. Vashon scored early and often, banging out eleven hits leading to eleven runs. The Pirates struck early, scoring four runs in the first inning. After a Pieterick walk and a single by Matt Amick, Chris Allman hit a two run triple to open the scoring. Justin Calhoun then scored Allman with a double for the third run. He would later score on an error to put Vashon up 4-0 after one inning. At this point in the game, there seemed to be a little Pirate "magic" in the air. As any Vashon pitcher can tell you, it's quite unusual to be staked to a 4-0 lead in the first inning. So this game started out very well for the Pirates, but things would soon get much, much better. Heading into the bottom of the third, Vashon led 4-1, and the real "magic" was about to begin. The Pirates loaded the bases on two walks and a single and the number eight hitter, senior Nathan Ott stepped up to the plate. Ott has played a stellar first base this year, but he has struggled with the bat at times. This at bat, however, would not be one of those times, as he drove a pitch over the left field fence for a Grand Slam Home Run! A Grand Salami! It was his first Varsity home run and it could not have come at a better time as it pretty much sealed the deal in this game, and more importantly, meant that the Pirates were going to State. Over time the game of baseball gives us many opportunities for great memories with great moments. However, some of these moments stand out as being something extra special. This was one such moment. Thanks Nathan! Vashon would score three more runs before games end via a solo HR off the bat of Allman and a two run HR from Calhoun. Adding to the Pirate hitting attack was Micah Deibell and Amick, both of whom were 2 for 4 with two singles. Schumaker and Pieterick each had singles as well. The defensive play of the day came from Deibell who made a falling down circus type catch in right field on the final play of the game. The victory sends the Pirates to the Regional portion of the WIAA State playoffs, which begin on 5/17 in Castle Rock. Vashon, one of sixteen teams competing for the State title, will be playing Kalama HS at 1pm. Come out and catch some of the magic!
Pirates Are Going To State!
The Vashon Pirates met a familiar foe in their District playoff game played on Saturday (5/10) at Stanwood HS: the Warriors from Seattle Christian. It was the fourth meeting between the two teams this year. They split the two league games and Vashon won the tiebreaker game. All of the contests were exciting with good pitching and good hitting but from a Pirate perspective, this game was clearly the best one of all as Vashon prevailed in convincing fashion, 11-3. Chris Pieterick was the starting pitcher for Coach Hall's Pirates. Pieterick pitched a solid complete game scattering five hits and striking out four. He pitched out of a jam in the second and held the Warriors to only one run, leaving the sacks loaded thanks to great plays on foul balls by first baseman Nathan Ott and catcher Tom Schumaker. He was never in any real serious trouble after that. But as good as the pitching was, the Pirate bats took center stage on this day. Vashon scored early and often, banging out eleven hits leading to eleven runs. The Pirates struck early, scoring four runs in the first inning. After a Pieterick walk and a single by Matt Amick, Chris Allman hit a two run triple to open the scoring. Justin Calhoun then scored Allman with a double for the third run. He would later score on an error to put Vashon up 4-0 after one inning. At this point in the game, there seemed to be a little Pirate "magic" in the air. As any Vashon pitcher can tell you, it's quite unusual to be staked to a 4-0 lead in the first inning. So this game started out very well for the Pirates, but things would soon get much, much better. Heading into the bottom of the third, Vashon led 4-1, and the real "magic" was about to begin. The Pirates loaded the bases on two walks and a single and the number eight hitter, senior Nathan Ott stepped up to the plate. Ott has played a stellar first base this year, but he has struggled with the bat at times. This at bat, however, would not be one of those times, as he drove a pitch over the left field fence for a Grand Slam Home Run! A Grand Salami! It was his first Varsity home run and it could not have come at a better time as it pretty much sealed the deal in this game, and more importantly, meant that the Pirates were going to State. Over time the game of baseball gives us many opportunities for great memories with great moments. However, some of these moments stand out as being something extra special. This was one such moment. Thanks Nathan! Vashon would score three more runs before games end via a solo HR off the bat of Allman and a two run HR from Calhoun. Adding to the Pirate hitting attack was Micah Deibell and Amick, both of whom were 2 for 4 with two singles. Schumaker and Pieterick each had singles as well. The defensive play of the day came from Deibell who made a falling down circus type catch in right field on the final play of the game. The victory sends the Pirates to the Regional portion of the WIAA State playoffs, which begin on 5/17 in Castle Rock. Vashon, one of sixteen teams competing for the State title, will be playing Kalama HS at 1pm. Come out and catch some of the magic!
