Underneath clear blue skies on April 20 at Cheney Stadium, the Yelm Tornados baseball program handled business against the Spanaway Lake Sentinels, picking up a 9-5 win in non-conference action.
Playing in the Tacoma Rainiers’ ballpark, Cheney Stadium, the Tornados offense erupted in the fifth inning and scored five runs — securing an 8-4 lead Yelm wouldn’t surrender for the remainder of the game. The Tacoma Rainiers are the Seattle Mariners minor league Triple-A affiliate team.
Sophomore Parker Myers got things rolling for Yelm, reaching first base following a one-out bunt single in the fourth inning. His teammate Barrett Schnetz got aboard after a single. The scoring in the fourth inning began when junior Wyatt Robison hit an RBI single before reaching second base after a throwing error. Sophomore Jackson Ford sac-bunted for an RBI to drive in Yelm’s second run of the inning. Senior Ace Youckton walked prior to sophomore Landan Halterman crushing a double to right-center field for two RBIs. Sophomore Jonah Smith drove in the fifth and final run of the fourth inning with an RBI single.
The five-run outburst in the fourth inning wasn’t the only flurry of runs for the Tornados, as they scored three runs in the second inning, as well. Sophomores Lincoln Ramirez and Wesley Thompson each secured RBIs in the early inning, and Ramirez scored after stealing home.
“Getting our offense going was huge. In those innings, we were able to execute some bunts and get back to what we do well,” head coach Dakota Hill said, following the win. “Seeing the boys break through was awesome. Now there is confidence, and a confident hitter is a dangerous one.”
Yelm’s PA announcer, Matt Mounts, saw a new, authentic career highlight created at Cheney Stadium while he was calling the game between Yelm and Spanaway Lake. In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Tornados added an insurance run behind an RBI double from Mount’s son, Brody. Matt Mounts announced his son to the plate prior to Brody securing his first varsity hit.
Brody’s fifth-inning RBI double and the fourth-inning scoring eruption weren’t the only highlights of the game as Hill picked up his first win at Cheney Stadium in his debut at the Triple-A ballpark. He said he felt a sense of nostalgia watching his ballplayers have success inside the stadium.
“Being able to watch the boys play and take in the moments was really cool for myself and the staff,” Hill said. “I remember playing there when I was at Yelm High School. The vibes in the dugout were phenomenal, too, just good all around.”
Six different pitchers appeared on the mound for the Tornados, including Halterman, the starter. He allowed three runs across 1 2/3 innings, striking out three batters and walking four. He was relieved by senior Jack Verone, who went 1 1/3 innings. He allowed one run on two hits while striking out two batters and walking one.
Verone was replaced in the fourth inning by Youckton, who allowed no hits and one walk. Ramirez replaced Youckton in the fifth inning and made quick work of Spanaway Lake, as he struck out two batters in the inning.
Smith replaced Ramirez on the mound in the sixth inning and had success pitching, as well, including two strikeouts and just one walk. Myers slammed the door shut on Spanaway Lake in the bottom of the seventh inning as he struck out two batters and reached pitch speeds in the low 80s, according to Cheney Stadium’s pitch tracker on its scoreboard.
“Having a non-league game, we wanted to have everyone available for in-league matchups,” Hill said. “Being able to spread the innings out was nice. Landan was solid, and once we got to the pen we were pretty much lights out. I’m very happy with the arms.”
The Tornados have just two conference series remaining in the regular season, and the team needs to chip away some wins to have a chance at the postseason. Yelm traveled Tuesday, April 23 to Central Kitsap High School for a matchup with the Cougars, however results were not available before press time. The series against the Cougars concluded on Wednesday, April 24, at home.
The Tornados (5-11, 3-7) will finish its regular season with a series against the River Ridge Hawks, beginning at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, in Lacey. The series and regular season finale is scheduled for 4 p.m., Wednesday, May 1, at Yelm High School.
“It’s cliche, but we’ve got to play the game the right way and control what we can control,” Hill said. “It’s tight. We aren’t out of a playoff race, but one pitch at a time is how you win games, not looking too far forward or behind.”
