Montesano strikes early to beat Seton Catholic in 1A baseball semifinals

May 29-BELLINGHAM - Montesano has been a baseball buzzsaw this season, so any margin of error when facing the Bulldogs is small.

That's why Seton Catholic, despite allowing just one base hit, ended up on the short end of a 5-1 loss in the Class 1A semifinals at Joe Martin Stadium.

Top-seeded Montesano (27-0) took advantage of four walks, one hit batsman and two wild pitches to take a 5-0 lead after two innings. Two well-executed bunts, a sacrifice fly and an RBI single let the Bulldogs cash in on their scoring chances.

Montesano wouldn't have any more scoring chances after Seton starter Kolten Gesser found his rhythm. The senior pitched a complete game and only allowed two runners into scoring position from the third inning on.

But a 5-0 lead was more than enough for Montesano pitcher Caden Grubb. The left-hander allowed just two hits and two walks, striking out nine over 6 2/3 innings.

Grubb had pitched a complete-game two-hitter against Seton in the District 4 championship game on May 16, which Montesano won 4-0.

"He's an effective lefty," Seton coach Ted Wieczorek said of Grubb. "He throws a lot of strikes. He nibbles. High school hitters have a tough time with lefties. They just do. They haven't seen it enough. But hats off to him. He's really good."

No. 5 seed Seton (21-6) scored its run in the top of the sixth. Gesser led off with a single, then scored on Colin Hogaboom's RBI groundout.

After Grubb exited the game after reaching the 105-pitch limit, the Cougars got two runners on with two outs in the seventh. But Damon Bird got the final out to send Montesano to Saturday's championship against King's.

"Tomorrow I hope they go out, represent our district and win a state championship," Wieczorek said.

Playing in the program's first final four, Seton Catholic will face No. 10 seed Overlake/Bear Creek for third place at 1 p.m. Saturday.

"They're upset, especially the seniors," Wieczorek said. "But I told these guys, it's not over yet. We are in the final four. There's nobody else in Clark County in the final four this year. Let's go represent Clark County baseball and let's get a W tomorrow."

MONTESANO 5, SETON CATHOLIC 1

Seton Catholic 000 001 0 - 1 4 0

Montesano 230 000 x - 5 1 1

Seton Catholic

Pitching - Kolten Gesser 6 IP, 1 H, 5 ER, 5 K, 5 BB. Highlights - Teddy Wieczorek 2-4; Kolten Gezzer 1-4, R; Jax Nelson 1-1.

Montesano

Pitching - Caden Grubb 6.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 9 K, 2 BB; Damon Bird 0.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 K, 0 BB. Highlights - Zach Timmons 1-3, 2 R, RBI.

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