Another ‘chance to represent and compete’ at All-State game

RICHLAND – From June 22 to 23 Richland hosted the All-State baseball game where the best senior high school players in the state come together for one more weekend of competition. Kason Whitaker from Moses Lake said he was honored to wear his school uniform one more time.  

“Last weekend was actually really awesome,” Whitaker said. “It was pretty cool to see the work and effort throughout the season boil down to this last hurrah.”  

Four teams were formed with players from all over the state. Whitaker was on Team St. Helens which was coached by Darren Snyder of Deer Park. The event had two games each day that pitted the teams against each other. However, it was not about competition at the All-State game for players like Whitaker.  

“I played with kids from the far west side, up in Spokane, Gonzaga Prep area,” he said. "Everyone coming together for a couple of games is really cool, because you get to hear everyone's different stories and different perspectives that they've had throughout their career,” he said.  

Whitaker said he was honored to start the game for his team, something he said a player might not always get to experience. He said he was impressed with how a team that has not played together before outside of summer baseball was able to rally together.  

In their first game, they were down 6-2 and pulled off a come back to tie the game in the eighth inning. According to Whitaker, he was in awe of a hit by Liam Ostrom of Ridgefield that helped the team rally. He said seeing other talented players from the state made him excited about moving to the collegiate level.  

Sonny Salazar and Jordan Montemayor represented the Huskies on Team Rainier alongside the Knights’ Ben Jenks. Salazar said he could not have gotten more out of the experience if he tried.  

“There were super cool the games, the games were competitive, and it was just a good environment to be a part of, I'd say it was probably one of the better moments of my high school career to really send it off,” he said.  

Getting to attend the All-State game alongside Montemayor was a good bonus, according to Salazar. He said it helped to have someone he knew there and provided an at-ease feeling. 

“I've known Jordan since I was, like 5 years old, so that guy's like my brother. So, it was easy to get him on the ride here, and we got to chop it up the whole way, there and back,” Salazar said.  

Now that their high school careers have officially concluded, Salazar and Whitaker expressed some bittersweet feelings. It was the last time they would wear their school pride on the field.  

Salazar said he was going to miss moments like being in the box when he has the chance to change the game in a big moment. He said it was a situation he loved to be in and doing it in an Othello uniform is something he will not forget.  

“It means the world to me. I've been putting it on since eighth grade summer, and since then, every moment I put it on, it was a chance to just represent and compete,” he said.  

Salazar is planning to attend Columbia Basin College and continue playing baseball there. Whitaker shared similar sentiments; he said it’s a moment he built toward over the course of his playing career and now that it’s here, it’s bittersweet.  

“The brotherhood that you guys build, especially with your individual class. You grow up with those guys. I've played with most of them since I was 8 or 9 years old. To know that's the last one where you guys are all together, I'm going to miss that for sure,” he said.  

    Mavericks Kason Whitaker fields a line drive near second base. Whitaker represented Moses Lake in the All-State baseball game on June 22 and June 23.
  

    Huskies Sonny Salazar pitches in the All-Star feeder game earlier in June. Salazar was nominated and selected to play in the All-State baseball game.
  

    Mavericks Kason Whitaker steps up to bat for Team St. Helens. Whitaker said he will miss the brotherhood built during his time at Moses Lake.
  

    Huskies Jordan Montemayor running for first base after hitting a line drive in the Columbia Basin All-Star game. Montemayor was selected to represent Othello alongside teammate Sonny Salazar.
  

    Knights player Ben Jenks rounding second base in a previous game. Jenks was Royal’s representative in the All-State game and played on team Rainier.