5 Royal boys make all-league baseball teams
Catcher Juan Niebla was named to the 2nd team.
ROYAL CITY — The Royal High baseball season ended last weekend with a disappointing 8-5 loss to Connell at districts, but there was good news for five of the boys.
Kaden Jenks and Sam Christensen were named to the SCAC East all-start 1st team. Randy Dunn, Carson Gilbert and Juan Niebla were named to the 2nd team.
Jenks, the power pitcher on the club, won with finesse as the Knights took Cle Elum, 6-4, in the first round of the district tournament. He struck out only two batters, but he made pitches that led to routine outs.
“The defense came up big when we needed it,” Coach Joe Avila said. “Cle Elum did a great job of putting it in play but we were able to answer defensively.”
Offensively, Sam Christensen had a triple and a run scored. Carson Gilbert had a single, batted in a run, stole a base and scored a run.
Jenks singled and scored a run. Juan Niebla was walked twice, scored a run and added a single. Corbin Christensen had a 2RBI single, Addin Felker lead off the 3rd with a double.
That victory gave Royal a second-round game with always powerful Kiona-Benton. The result was a 12-0, five-inning loss to the SCAC East champs.
“Hats off to them. They had a day at the plate,” Avila said. “Randy (Dunn) threw a ton of strikes, but their kids were able to find barrel.”
Corbin Christensen and Irvin Cedillo saw the mounds in relief roles. Dunn had a double at the plate and Juan Niebla added a single.
Royal remained alive for a state tournament bid, and it battled hard against Connell before falling, 8-5.
Jenks got the start, going five innings and striking out three. Sam Christensen threw the final two innings in relief, striking out two.
Corbin Christensen went 2-3. Jess Santillian singled, walked, scored twice and added a RBI. Carson Gilbert had a single and run scored. Juan Niebla and Jenks each walked and scored a run. Irvin Cedillo was hit by a pitch and had an RBI.
“We started slow and came on strong late, but it just wasn’t enough to get it done,” Avila said. “We had opportunities to put a few more runs on the board but couldn’t find the timely hit.”
Avila said the coaching staff could not be more proud of the work ethic and character the boys brought to the game every day. He termed the season a “complete team effort” and a big opening round win for the boys.
“I’m extremely proud of the effort and attitude they brought to the yard,” he said. “The kids did a great job of competing all year long.”