Royal boys go 4-2 to level off baseball record

ROYAL CITY — After starting the season with twin losses against Zillah on March 12, the Royal High baseball team enjoyed a four-game winning streak before losing again

The streak featured sweeps against Newport, 14-3, 9-0, and Goldendale, 4-0, 2-1 (10 innings).

Kaden Jenks pitched the first game against Newport, striking out seven batters in four innings.

At the plate, Carson Gilbert went 3-5 with a walk and two runs scored. Randy Dunn went 4-5 with a walk and three runs scored. Irvin Cedillo reached base four times and scored three runs.

Randy Dunn got the start in the 9-0 game, which was called after three innings game because of darkness. He allowed one hit and struck out four batters.

At the plate, Carson Gilbert reached base three times scoring two runs. Dunn scored two runs, Jenks scored two runs, and Juan Niebla and Jesse Santillan both scored a run.

“We threw the ball extremely well, consistently getting ahead of hitters,” Coach Joe Avila said. “Good things happen when you throw strikes, and we saw that in Newport.”

On the following Saturday, Jenks pitched the first game, going the distance and striking out 10 batters in a 4-0 victory over Goldendale.

“Kaden threw the ball extremely well for us,” Avila said. “He was consistently around the zone and did an excellent job of locating his pitches.”

Dunn and Sam Christensen had a hit and scored a run each. Jenks had two hits, a run scored and two runs batted in. Santillan had a hit and scored a run. Logan Gilbert and Sawyer Stakkeland both had one hit.

“We had opportunities to bust it wide open but just couldn’t fully capitalize on their miscues,” Avila said.

The second Goldendale game, a 2-1 victory, was long and taxing. Randy Dunn got the start, throwing six and one third innings of shutout baseball while striking out nine batters.

Niebla finished the game in relief, striking out four batters in three and two thirds innings of work. After Royal broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the 10th inning, Niebla choked off any hope of a Timberwolf rally.

Carson Gilbert and Adrian Trinidad each had a single. Stakkeland and Niebla each scored a run.

“Game 2 was a pitchers’ duel from the start,” Avila said. “Randy was lights out for us after a rough first inning, and we were disappointed we couldn’t get him the win in seven innings. The boys battled and found a way to get it done in the end, which is big for us as we progress through the season.”

Avila said the Knights have to do a better job of executing with runners in scoring position. They left 30 runners on base at Goldendale.

Last Saturday, Royal traveled to Northwest Washington to face two tough programs in the 1A ranks. The Knights lost, 20-5, to Burlington-Edison and 13-9 to Lynden Christian.

The BE game was not as bad as the score made it seem. The Knights collected eight hits.

“Burlington is a good club and came out swinging,” Avila said. “They capitalized on our miscues, scoring early and often. Our pitchers threw a ton of strikes, and our hitters put some really good swings on the baseball with numerous quality at-bats.”

Sam Christensen went 1-2 with a single, walk, and 2 runs scored. Carson Gilbert went 2-3 with a single, a double, a RBI, and a run scored. Kaden Jenks went 1-3 with a single and stolen base.

Niebla went 2-3 with 2 singles, a RBI, and 1 run scored. Stakkeland went 1-2 with a single, a walk, a RBI, and run scored. Corbin Christensen went 1-2 with a double and RBI. Logan Gilbert had a RBI groundout.

Kaden Jenks got the start, followed in relief by Corbin Christensen and Stakkeland.

“Each of them threw the ball well and competed until the final out. Very proud of their effort attitude,” Avila said.

The game with LC was a game of ups and downs. Royal came out aggressive, putting up six runs in the first inning.

“From there we seemed to coast a bit,, allowing Lynden Christian to get back in the ball game,” Avila said.

With the score knotted at 9-9 in the top of the seventh inning, LC brought home four runs, and Royal couldn’t find a way to get it done in the bottom half.

“Our pitchers threw the ball extremely well, but a few too many free bags and some miscues on the bases came back to haunt us late,” Avila said. “They battled until the end but, unfortunately, we came up a few runs short.”

Niebla and Santillan led the charge at the plate. Niebla went 3-4 with three singles, two RBI, and two runs scored. Santillan went 3-4 with three singles, two RBI and one run scored.

Kaden Jenks went 2-4 with a single, a double and two RBI. Addin Felker went 1-3 with a single and a RBI.

Corbin Christensen had one RBI. Sam Christensen scored two runs. Carson Gilbert and Sawyer Stakkeland each scored a run.

Niebla got the start, striking out four batters in three and a third innings of work.