“We finished it in Tahoma style.”

The words of senior Tahoma High catcher Cory Ferguson summed up the game following the Bears 7-6 victory over Newport High at Safeco Field Saturday.

After trailing 6-3 to Newport, the Bears dug in and came back in the top of the seventh frame to clinch third in state at Safeco Field.

Coach Russ Hayden, exhausted but happy, following the two-day tournament said it was both an impressive game and season for the Bears. At 22-3 overall and 15-1 in league it is the second best record in school history according to the coach.

The Bears won the South Puget Sound 4A North, the SPSL tournament and the team was the West Central District III champions.

“I’m going to miss these seniors,” Hayden said as he walked through the tunnel at Safeco with his team.

Ferguson said it was his third time at state, “and this is the best. It was a team effort and we all worked hard.”

Lefty Spencer Hobson took the hill against Newport and pitched four complete innings. He was relieved by Chris Kerwood, who earned the win and Justin Cloud closed the game for a save.

Tahoma took an early lead of 3-0 in the second, but Newport picked up two in the third and four in the fourth to go up by 6-3.

The Bear bats were quiet for two inning, but when the end neared, the boys started swinging and scored four runs in the seventh.

Shortstop Taylor Smart hit a triple and Chris Marangon singled to bring him in to score.

Jerad Casper tied it on a sacrifice fly to center and Brian Olson put the team up 7-6.

Justin Cloud hit 2-3 with an RBI and Thomas Hammett went 1-3 with two RBIs.