Double defeat ends Royal's hopes

ROYAL CITY - Royal High traveled to River View Saturday with the hope of sweeping the Panthers and securing a baseball playoff spot, but things did not go as planned.

The Knights were held to just three hits in the first game and lost 2-0. They were swept when they dropped the second game, 6-5.

"Once again there were some plays that needed to be made that extended innings that allowed River View to get their runs," coach Daren Christensen said.

One first-game highlight for the Knights was a great catch by freshman Sam Christensen, who crashed into the fence at full speed and ended a rally for the Panthers.

River View was the same in the second game. It scored two runs in the first inning. This time, however, Royal fought back.

The Knights tied the game, 2-2, when Brady Dixon had a double that scored Sam Christensen and Berto Martinez, who was running for Freshman catcher Jesse Santillan, who had walked.

In the 6th inning, Royal took a 3-2 lead. Anthony Westcott got on base and was scored by a clutch hit by Sophomore Teddy Mead.

In the seventh, Royal stretched its lead to 5-2. Santillan earned another walk, and that was followed by a base hit by Brady Dixon. There was a passed ball that moved the runners to second and third. Aaron Johnson had a clutch hit that scored both runs.

Royal looked good for a split, but all of the good offensive work came undone in the bottom of the seventh.

The first batter walked, and the next was hit by a pitch. There was a foul pop that was dropped, and then that batter ended up getting to first base. By the time the inning ended, RV had scored four runs.

With that loss, the Knights finished the league season at 3-7. They have a non-league game remaining with Pateros on May 3.

Earlier last week, Royal hosted Connell, and there was some good news. The Knights came back from a 12-2 first-game drubbing to win the second game, 3-2.

"The first game was not very good for us," Christensen said. "Just like the rest of the year, extended innings were our undoing. We should have been out of the first inning without any runs, but extra outs were given to them, and they ended up scoring six runs.

In the second game, Kent Christensen had his best pitching performance of the year. It was the dominance the Knights were used to seeing last year.

Brady Dixon walked to start the third and stole second and then was brought in by Senior Anthony Westcott. Teddy Mead got a single in the fourth inning, moved to third and then scored on a passed ball with a hard slide that knocked the ball free from the catcher.

Connell came back and tied the game in the top of the seventh. But Royal rallied again in the bottom of the frame.

With one out, Dixon walked again and then stole second and third to get into scoring position. He scored the winning run on a passed ball.