Tigers' last gasp just enough for win

Torgeson's base hit in the seventh gives Ephrata district playoff win

EPHRATA — The game looked grim for Ephrata going into the seventh inning against Connell, but the Tigers rallied for a big 2A district playoff win Tuesday.

With a 4-4 tie, Jared Torgeson laced a single that scored Aaron Sonnabend in to win the game for the Tigers.

"That's what I'm talkin' about!" Torgeson said as he tagged up at first.

Ephrata pitcher Mike Ratigan was not dominant, but put his team in a position to win.

"Ratigan kept us in the game; he pitched better down the stretch," said Ephrata head coach Dave Johnson after the game. He went on to say he thought it was a good game for Torgeson, who has been struggling at the plate of late.

In the bottom of the first inning, Ephrata gave every impression that they would run away with the game. A leadoff single got the game started and Aaron Key brought Ephrata's first run across the plate.

Ratigan hit a bouncing single to get his courtesy runner, Kevin Sieverkropp, on base. Sieverkropp was brought home by Jared Torgeson who hit a long double.

The inning ended with the Tigers up 2-0 on the Eagles, but Ratigan had to weather a storm in the top of the second.

Connell strung together some hits and Ephrata's four errors gave themselves a difficult time and a long inning to battle through. The Tigers left the inning trailing 3-2.

Connell's Tony Lee was batted in on a single from Daniel Nance in the third to extend the lead to 2-4.

In the bottom of the third, Sieverkropp crossed home on a double from Austin Chamberlain, but the Tigers failed to tie it up and stayed down, 3-4.

Ephrata was able to battle through the next three and a half innings to keep the score stagnant and began the bottom of the seventh with a fly out to center.

Chris Smith, the second batter of the inning, took a pitch to the batting helmet and sparked a rally for Ephrata. With Smith on, Forrest hit a double and advanced his runner to third.

The next batter, Sonnabend, was walked to load the bases for Ephrata.

Aaron Key came to the plate with a new pitcher on the mound and the bases loaded. He belted a double that pushed one across.

Ratigan cozied up to the plate next for the Tigers but was intentionally walked by Connell. Ratigan's walk loaded the bases once again for Ephrata, allowing Torgeson's to put it away.

The win takes the Tigers to 18-3 on the season. They will match up against Naches at home on Friday to continue their districts run.

"Naches has good defense, pitching and coaching. I think it'll be a good game." Johnson said.