The Tahoma Bears proved a couple things in the last two days. These boys can swing the bat, hit the ball and win baseball games.
The Bears closed out the season with two victories in two days, 9-8 at home over Kentlake Friday and 11-9 on the road against Auburn Riverside Saturday. The victories gave Tahoma a 15-1 South Puget Sound League 4A North Division record and the division crown.
Friday, which was senior night, the Bears were down 8-2 in the bottom of the seventh, staring the second defeat of the season in the face.
Tahoma came out and put up six runs to tie the score, and the team did it against one of Kentlake and the South Puget Sound League’s best arms, Ryan Shelton.
The Falcons sent Sean Hartnett in relief, who was throwing in the upper 80s.
“We hit the fastball,” Hayden said. “It was senior night and in the bottom of the eighth (Brian) Olson leads off with a walk off home run.”
Hayden said the Falcon team played well and is a very good team.
“But we hit the ball yesterday,” Hayden said.
Saturday against Auburn Riverside, Tahoma broke the game open in the sixth. The teams were tied 6-6 when Tahoma found the aim on the ball and scored three runs.
Once the boys started hitting and scoring there was no looking back.
Spencer Hobson started the game and picked up the win. Chris Kerwood pitched in relief.
Hayden said with the victory over the Ravens, the Bears had beaten every team this season. Their only loss came April 6 against Auburn Riverside. The Ravens took that game 2-1.
The Bears avenged that game Saturday and completed the season 17-1 overall.
Tahoma will face Puyallup 7 p.m. Friday at Kent Memorial Stadium in the first stop in the postseason, the league playoffs.
The Bears will be playing for the SPSL championship and No. 1 seed in the West Central District Championship.
Puyallup is the winner SPSL South with a 13-2 record.
Tahoma has been in state tournament five times since 2003.
In 2003 the teams finished third in state, 2006 fourth, 2007 third, 2008 as a participant and 2009 third.
