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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (May 31, 2018)
SPORTS Thursday, May 31, 2018 East Oregonian ROCKETS: Baseball team ready for Knappa MARINERS: LeBlanc starts Thursday to try and even the series Continued from 1B Rock disposed of the Tro- jans 14-4 before going on to win the state championship. During that game, Rockets head coach saw the youth on the Trojans’ roster and knew that a few years down the road they would be even better. And Fitzpatrick’s predic- tion was spot-on. The No. 2 Trojans come into the cham- pionship game with a 23-4 record and have won 14 straight games where they have allowed more than two runs in a game only twice. In the postseason the Trojans have been lights-out, beating No. 15 Riddle, No. 10 North Douglas and No. 3 Central Linn by a combined score of 36-1. But the Rockets (23-3) are not scared of the Trojans and the Rockets are not scared of the championship stage. This is only the second state title game appearance for Ken- nedy in its school history, the first being a runner-up finish in 2006. And for the Rockets, it’s the fourth straight year the program will play at Ore- gon State’s Softball Complex for the title game, giving the Rockets a comfort level in Corvallis that they are hoping to use to their advantage. “We’ve talked about the pressure is more on them (Kennedy) than us,” Fitz- patrick said. “They have the higher ranking, they’re the home team and none of them have been here before. We have and we’re hoping we can come out and get on them early and put the pressure on them.” Fitzpatrick is also expect- ing a lot of Rockets fans in the stands to help cheer on the squad. Pilot Rock canceled classes to allow as many stu- dents and families to travel to support the softball and base- ball teams as possible, and have a bus traveling to Cor- vallis and Salem as well. “It’s a big thing for the town,” Fitzpatrick said. “The town will probably be empty because everyone will be here.” And with the comfort level on the field, the fan support in the stands, and the experi- ence in the dugout, Fitzpat- rick says the Rockets’ recipe for the school’s fourth state title is simple. “Limit our mistakes,” he said. “Kennedy has a good team and we can’t give them extra outs, which we’ve struggled with a little bit this year. We just need to focus on what we do best, which is hit- ting, and put the pressure on them.” First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at the OSU Softball Complex in Corvallis. BASEBALL No. 1 KNAPPA vs. No. 3 PILOT ROCK — The cur- rent group of Pilot Rock base- ball players will be going into new territory on Friday. The Rockets are in the state cham- pionship game for the sixth time in school history, but it’s the first time since 2000 — before some players were Page 3B FIRST BASE FOR GAMEL? After the Mari- ners acquired left fielder Denard Span in a trade with Tampa Bay on Fri- day, manager Scott Servais noted that outfielder Ben Gamel could see action at first base with Healy. Gamel played one game at first base last season. “I took a lot of early work there last year,” Gamel said. “But nothing this year. It is something I obviously need to get work in at.” As the fourth outfielder, Gamel said he is willing to try anything to stay in the lineup. UP NEXT Rangers: Left-hander Mike Minor (4-3, 5.63 ERA) has a team-high four wins. And even though he has had an awful May (2-2, 6.91 ERA this month), he won his last start in Kan- sas City on Friday. He has two no-decisions already against the Mariners this season. Mariners: What a roll left-hander Wade LeBlanc (0-0, 2.70 ERA) has been on since he joined the rota- tion. In his five starts, he has given up just five runs in 26 1/3 innings pitched (1.71 ERA). The most he’s given up in any start is two runs. This will be his first career start against Texas. Continued from 1B Kela, who graduated from nearby Chief Sealth High School in Seattle, had registered four consecutive scoreless outings in the past week before Wednes- day. He has become the team’s primary ninth-in- ning option. “I had to grow into it,” Kela said. “I’ve always enjoyed pitching in high-pressure situations — the defining moments.” Fellow relievers rave about Kela’s explo- sive fastball and dancing curveball. “His heater, I feel like jumps . or hops,” Texas left-hander Jake Diekman said. “His curveball is 12-6 (in direction) and super hard. He’s always had a killer instinct.” Kela was drafted in the 29th round by his home- town Mariners in 2011, but did not sign. Instead, he spent one season at Ever- ett Community College before the Rangers drafted him in the 12th round a year later. “I like coming to Seat- tle, but I don’t ever get to be here during the times I enjoy it,” said Kela, whose mother and sister still live in the area. “The best time is when I am playing ball, so I don’t get to enjoy the city as much as I’d like to.” Staff photo by Kathy Aney Pilot Rock’s Quinton Orr is greeted by his team at home plate after hitting a home run during Tuesday’s state playoff game against Bandon. “I’m really happy I have all this support actually,” — Jaiden Lemberger, Pendleton athlete LEMBERGER: A three sport standout for the Buckaroos even born. The Rockets’ run to the title game did not surprise Leasy this season, as he knew this team had a good chance when they began practicing in March. “I knew we had qual- ity pitching and good senior leadership,” Leasy said. “And when you can pitch at the 2A level and if your bats come, good things are going to hap- pen. And that’s exactly what’s happened to us, our bats have come and we’re hitting the ball well up and down our entire lineup.” The No. 3 Rockets (20- 2) will have their hands full, too, with the No. 1 Loggers (23-0), who are playing in the 2A/1A championship game for the sixth time overall and the fourth consecutive sea- son. The Loggers won the title last year with a thrilling 10-9 victory over Reedsport, and they are trying to com- plete an undefeated season with a title for the second time in their history, doing so in 2015 where they went 27-0. “They’re going to be expe- rienced there,” Leasy said. “It’ll be a challenge, for sure, but we’re up for that. They’re a quality ball club no doubt about it, so we just have to go play well like we did (Tues- day) and execute well both offensively and defensively and we should be fine.” The championship game will be a matchup of two teams that can both hit the snot out of the ball, as well as pitch extremely well. Knappa averages 12.5 runs per game of offense and has allowed only 26 runs in its 23 games this season. The Loggers have won their three playoff games over No. 16 Riddle, No. 8 Monroe and No. 5 Kennedy by a combined 24-3 score. The Rockets average more than eight runs per game and have allowed only 49 runs in 22 games this season, the sec- ond-lowest mark in the state. However, the Rockets won’t man year of high school I kept going (with track) and I really loved it,” Lem- berger said. “I was always excited for the season and I always wanted to run in college so I’m glad I got into Lane.” Former Buckaroo run- ner Nolan Bylenga, who ran track at Lane CC this spring, was a “big help” for Lemberger, she said, as the two exchanged text mes- sages often so Lemberger could get a better idea of the school and the Titans’ program. And once she took a visit to the school earlier in the spring, she was sold. “I loved the program and I loved the environ- ment of Eugene,” Lem- berger said. “I really liked the coaches, they’re all really nice ... I just really liked it there.” ———— Contact Eric at esinger@eastoregonian. com or 541-966-0839. Follow him on Twitter @ ByEricSinger. Continued from Page B1 Staff photo by Kathy Aney program official on Tues- day night as she signed her National Letter of Intent with the Titans in front of numerous family, friends and high school coaches with a party at Big John’s Pizza. “I’m really happy I have all this support actu- ally,” Lemberger said. “My family and friends have always been there for me. My track coaches are my life, they’re so nice to me and support me and same with my basketball coach, Kevin Porter, he’s helped me through a lot. It’s so nice to have a good sup- port system here.” Lemberger, a three- sport standout for the Buckaroos, said that she has developed a passion for track and field season since her freshman year and that drove a desire to compete collegiately. “I was always a soft- ball person growing up, but I started running track in middle school and fresh- Pilot Rock pitcher Levi Theime prepares to hurl the ball during Tuesday’s state play- off game against Bandon. have their ace, Levi Thieme, available to pitch after Thieme threw 109 pitches for his complete-game win in the semifinals on Tuesday. Leasy said he thought briefly on Tuesday about try- ing to keep Thieme’s pitch count down so he could be available on Friday, but decided that he’s confident with seniors Bryson Pierce (0.96 ERA, 47 K in 21 2/3 innings) and Chris Weinke (1.59 ERA, 43K in 30 2/3 innings) on the hill to win the Rockets a title. “I’m very comfortable with where we are today,” Leasy said of the pitchers. “I’ll take Chris Weinke and Bryson Pierce on the bump every day in any game. There’s no qualms there and I don’t regret anything.” First pitch is set for 5 p.m. ———— Contact Eric at esinger@ eastoregonian.com or 541- 966-0839. Follow him on Twitter @ByEricSinger. EASTERN OREGON marketplace Place classified ads online at www.easternoregonmarketplace.com 104 Special Notices 104 Special Notices PLEASE CHECK YOUR AD ON THE FIRST DAY OF PUBLICATION. While we are happy to make any necessary corrections, we can not be responsible for errors appearing for mul- tiple days. Thank you! 181 Lost & Found CLASSIFIED LINE AD DEADLINES East Oregonian 3pm the day prior to publication Lost keys at Brownfield Park, corner of Main & SE Byers, Pendleton. Black Subaru car key on ring with 4 house keys. Reward offered. (541)240-9808 Hermiston Herald 10am Tuesday 184 Personals 1-800-962-2819 Contact Dayle or Grace at classifieds@eastoregonian.com classifieds@eastoregonian.com 1-800-962-2819 to place your classified ad! 301 RVs & Travel Trailers 2013 Jayco Seismic 3914 44ft long 14ft garage 3 slideouts Triple Axle Onan 5500 gasoline generator 4 seasons package Washer/dryer Microwave/Convection combo oven Double refrigerator Double queen bunks in garage Queen Loft Queen Master $40,000. 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