Regionals puts an end to Warden, again

Cougars eliminated from postseason in 7-5 loss to Freeman

WENATCHEE — The proverbial monkey remained on Warden's back.

For three straight years the Cougars have won their district title and for three straight years, have failed to make it out of the regional tournament. This time, Freeman got the best of Warden in a 7-5 win on Saturday at Recreational Park in Wenatchee.

"It sucks," said losing pitcher Edward Rodriguez. "You know your team could have done better."

Warden led early against the Scotties, but allowed three runs on three errors in the fourth inning that sealed the Cougars' fate.

"One thing went wrong and it destroyed us," Rodriguez added.

But it wasn't like the bid for a state championship was in Warden's favor. Their ace Jorge Reyes was questionable for the regional tournament and Brewster was the next challenge the Cougars would've had to dealt with if they got past Freeman.

And it was the Bears who eliminated Warden last year.

"We were in a tough predicament," Warden head coach Jerry Powell said.

Powell started Rodriguez, who began the game with a 2-1 lead heading into the third, watched as the Scotties tagged him for three runs in the third and an early departure. Warden's Rick Castillo came in and allowed three unearned runs in the fourth before the Cougars defense settled down to hold Freeman to two baserunners over the next three innings.

The Cougars got the break they were looking for in the sixth inning when Anthony Martinez knocked in Andrew Garza on a double, then scored himself by advancing to third on a wild pitch and scoring on a throwing error by the catcher.

Juventino Salinas scored in the same inning after walking with two out, advancing to second on a Rodriguez walk and scoring during a rundown on Rodriguez between first and second.

In the seventh inning with two runners on, Warden's Martinez grounded out to Freeman's pitcher Josh Altmeyer to end the inning and season for the Cougars.

"We still out-hit them, but we didn't get any key hits," Powell said.

Warden's seeding into the regional tournament was the second straight year in which they would have had to face the No. 1 seed from the Caribou Trail league in the second round. Powell said the Cougars could have lost the district championship game for a different seeding, but: "You don't play baseball to lose, you go to win."

As for next year, Warden retains its pitching staff, plus the experience of Castillo who pitched a dominant second half against Freeman Saturday.

"Rick has evolved," Powell said about his third pitcher for next season.